Sara Centanni has been appointed at the new principal for Ripley Central School District.

RIPLEY — Ripley Central School Board of Education members approved the appointment of a new school principal. Sara Centanni will assume the principal position left vacant by Micah Oldham who is leaving to assume the position of principal in the Brocton School District.

Centanni comes to Ripley from Hinsdale Central School District where she was principal for pre-K through 12th grade. She has more than 15 years experience in education and has served in many capacities, including elementary and special education teacher, technology coordinator, principal and curriculum coordinator.

“I’m excited to join the Ripley community and I am eager to meet the students and staff,” Centanni said. “I am passionate about supporting all members of the school community and I look forward to fostering a positive and inclusive learning environment.”

Centanni is married and has three children, ages 11, 10 and 6. She said she enjoys reading, spending time at the beach, traveling and “cheering on the Buffalo Bills.”

Board members officially approved Centanni’s appointment after a 15-minute executive session.

In other business, Ripley Superintendent William Caldwell said that the district used up two snow days during the recent lake effect snowstorm, and only had one left for the year.

Caldwell said after the winter break he would let the community know the school would look at an option to revise the calendar, so that in future years, if the need arises, some days could be taken from the winter break to make up for the snow days,

In a strange twist of fate, the district was required to use its last snow day the day after the board meeting because of the second storm which caused all Chautauqua County school along the lake to be closed.

“At this point, we’re not looking to adjust the long breaks (winter, February or spring). If we need more snow days, we can add a few instructional days at the end of June,” Caldwell said on Dec. 12.

In another matter, Caldwell noted that a recent report from the Rockefeller Institute concluded that there is no way that school districts could bear the cost of transitioning to electric buses and , therefore, the state would have to assume the cost.

Because of this, Caldwell said, many districts are taking different approaches to the mandate and some are considering buying several diesel buses before 2027.

Board President Paul McCutcheon suggested the district take some time to consider what it needs to do in order to convert its fleet by 2035. “A big question is what new technology will be available in five years,” he said.

Caldwell also reported the Capital Outlay Project cost a little more than expected, and the difference would be taken out of the general fund. Projects this year include replacing windows in the Bentley Wing and by the principal’s office, and replacing a door at the end of a hallway, he said.

In a related issue, Caldwell said he would be presenting a “very basic outline” of the next Capital Improvement Project to the board in January or February. “There are no huge decisions that need to be made yet,” he said. “The bus garage and electric buses will be a part of that.”