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Michael Elorreaga

RCS Selects Michael Elorreaga as New Board Member

Richmond Community Schools Board of School Trustees held a special meeting last night and appointed Michael Elorreaga to fill the recently vacated at-large district seat. His term will expire on December 31, 2026. Elorreaga is replacing departing board member Peter Zaleski.

Mr. Elorreaga is an account executive for Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance. He has over twenty years of management experience, handling budgeting, coaching, sales, recruiting and customer service. Michael is a 1999 Richmond High School alum. He earned his bachelor's degree in Business Management from Earlham College. He continued on with his education and earned a master’s degree in management from Indiana University East. He currently serves on the Reid Finance Committee, Amigos - Richmond Latino Center, IU East Advisory Board, and Earlham College African American and Hispanic Alumni Board. Micheal’s wife, Jenny, is a principal at Crestdale Elementary School. They have two children. Their daughter is a sixth grader at the Richmond STEAM Academy located at the Hibberd Program Building. Their son is a fourth grader at Charles Elementary School.

“I am honored to be given the opportunity to serve on the RCS Board of Education,” said Elorreaga. “Over the next two years, I will look to focus on working hard with the rest of the board, community, and administration in making sure Richmond Community Schools is given every opportunity to succeed not only now, but for years to come.”

“We are all pleased to welcome Mr. Elorreaga to the RCS Board of Education,” said RCS Superintendent Dr. Curtis Wright. “I am truly appreciative of Mr. Elorreaga answering the call to selfless service. We are always grateful to the patrons throughout our community that are willing to commit their time, talent and treasure to our amazing faculty, staff and students who deserve and are worth such commitment.”

The next school board meeting will be at 4:00 p.m. Wednesday, November 13, at the RCS Administration Building, 300 Hub Etchison Parkway in Richmond.
Bus Route Update

Important Bus Route Update

Starting September 24, Test Intermediate students will transition to elementary bus routes. This change will help improve efficiency for our bus drivers and give Test students more time before the morning bell. 🕗

Here's what to expect:
*Elementary students will arrive at their buildings by 7:30 AM and can enjoy breakfast to kickstart their day! 🍎🥛
*Test Intermediate students will be dropped off after elementary students and will also have breakfast offered upon arrival.

📞 Bus Drivers and the Bus Department have already been communicating any changes to pick-up times—especially for Test and Dennis families. You may have also received updates through Parent Square. As a reminder, please make sure you're registered to get notifications!

👉 If you're not signed up for Parent Square, please update your information in the PowerSchool parent portal or contact the RCS Technology Help Desk at 765-973-4918.

Thank you for your understanding as we make these adjustments to improve the student experience!

A partir del 24 de septiembre, los estudiantes de Test Intermediate harán la transición a las rutas de autobús de primaria. Este cambio ayudará a mejorar la eficiencia de nuestros conductores de autobuses y les dará a los estudiantes de prueba más tiempo antes de que suene la campana de la mañana. 🕗

Esto es lo que puede esperar:
¡Los estudiantes de primaria llegarán a sus edificios a las 7:30 a. m. y podrán disfrutar del desayuno para comenzar el día!🍎🥛
Los estudiantes de prueba intermedia serán dejados después de los estudiantes de primaria y también se les ofrecerá desayuno a su llegada.

📞 Los conductores de autobuses y el Departamento de autobuses ya han estado comunicando cualquier cambio en los horarios de recogida, especialmente para las familias de Test y Dennis. Es posible que también haya recibido actualizaciones a través de Parent Square. Como recordatorio, ¡asegúrese de estar registrado para recibir notificaciones!

👉 Si no está registrado en Parent Square, actualice su información en el portal para padres de PowerSchool o comuníquese con la mesa de ayuda de tecnología de RCS al 765-973-4918.

¡Gracias por su comprensión mientras hacemos estos ajustes para mejorar la experiencia de los estudiantes!
Juvenile arrest

RCS Police Department Announces Juvenile Arrest After Latest School Threat

RICHMOND, Indiana (September 20, 2024) - On September 19, 2024, late in the school day, Richmond High School was alerted to another threat aimed at causing harm to the building and its occupants. This time, the threat involved a claim that RHS would be targeted by an explosive device.
The time for this madness to stop is long overdue. I want the concerned public to know that once this message was received, Richmond Community Schools’ administration acted swiftly and accurately, implementing safety protocols to ensure the well-being of the students and staff. Once it was determined that no credible threat was present, those protocols were lifted. However, our work did not end there. In collaboration with Richmond Community Schools administration, officers from the Richmond Community Schools Police Department were able to identify a suspect and establish probable cause for the arrest of a juvenile. What was initially described as a prank quickly lost its humor once the individual was detained in a Juvenile Detention Facility for the consequences of their actions.
Parents, this is where I need to speak directly to you. Now is the time to have a conversation with your children about how they are processing the events of the past two weeks. Help them understand that these so-called pranks are not jokes—they carry serious, real-world consequences. Please reinforce the message that our schools remain safe, even as we face what is currently a nationwide issue. Richmond Community Schools are committed to maintaining safety and security, both physically and emotionally, for our students. While we cannot control the actions of others, we remain vigilant in protecting our community from those who seek to spread fear and panic. Although I do not believe that arresting a child is always the best path to making a positive impact in their life, I must be clear: given the severity of the impact on our community, an arrest will be made every time such actions are used to incite fear.
As we conclude a week filled with Homecoming events, let’s refocus on the positives. Let’s surround our kids with love and compassion, empowering them to create lifelong memories during these special moments. Let’s encourage them to have fun and enjoy their youth. Isn’t that what being a kid should be about?
Chief of Police Rick Thalls
Richmond Community Schools Police Department

Superintendent Urges Parents to Talk to Students about Appropriate Conduct on Social Media

Dear Parents and Guardians,
As we know, schools across the nation, including our district, are witnessing a surge in safety threats and hoaxes circulating on social media. We understand how alarming these rumors can be, but it is important to remember that these social media statements are designed to provoke fear and disruption. Many school districts around the nation are experiencing this trend of misinformation intended to disrupt our operations and create fear in our stakeholders.


If there is a credible threat, you will be notified. We encourage everyone to say something if they hear something or see something. If your student has credible information, please encourage them to speak to an administrator, teacher, or RCS Police Department Officer.


Posting speculation on social media and perpetuating rumors without factual information creates anxiety for students, parents, and employees. We need your assistance in putting a stop to these rumors. Please talk to your students so they can help us be vigilant. Please talk to your student about appropriate conduct on social media. These types of pranks or jokes may carry serious consequences including school disciplinary action and charges from law enforcement. Let's work together to alleviate these fears and create a safe learning environment for all. Causing widespread fear across our neighborhoods does not help, nor is it good for the students who are in school to learn.The safety and security of students and staff is always a priority at Richmond Community Schools. Thank you for your support and understanding!

Estimados padres y tutores,

Como sabemos, las escuelas de todo el país, incluido nuestro distrito, están presenciando un aumento en las amenazas a la seguridad y los engaños que circulan en las redes sociales. Entendemos lo alarmantes que pueden ser estos rumores, pero es importante recordar que estas declaraciones en las redes sociales están diseñadas para provocar miedo y perturbación. Muchos distritos escolares de todo el país están experimentando esta tendencia de desinformación destinada a interrumpir nuestras operaciones y generar miedo entre nuestras partes interesadas.


Si hay una amenaza creíble, se le notificará. Alentamos a todos a decir algo si escuchan o ven algo. Si su estudiante tiene información creíble, anímelo a hablar con un administrador, maestro o oficial del Departamento de Policía de RCS.


Publicar especulaciones en las redes sociales y perpetuar rumores sin información fáctica genera ansiedad en los estudiantes, padres y empleados. Necesitamos su ayuda para poner fin a estos rumores. Por favor hable con sus estudiantes para que puedan ayudarnos a estar atentos. Por favor hable con su estudiante sobre la conducta apropiada en las redes sociales. Este tipo de bromas o chistes pueden tener consecuencias graves, incluidas medidas disciplinarias escolares y cargos por parte de las autoridades. Trabajemos juntos para aliviar estos temores y crear un ambiente de aprendizaje seguro para todos. Causar miedo generalizado en nuestros vecindarios no ayuda ni es bueno que los estudiantes que están en la escuela aprendan. La seguridad de los estudiantes y el personal es siempre una prioridad en las Escuelas Comunitarias de Richmond. ¡Gracias por su apoyo y comprensión!


Dr. Curtis Wright
Superintendente
Escuelas comunitarias de Richmond
Normal Schedule for All Students

Normal Schedule for All Students

Dear Parent or Guardian:

We have been notified by local law agencies that another statement has been posted to social media. Richmond Community Schools was not mentioned specifically but we want you to be aware of what has been posted and again to remind you that local law agencies have assured us that this is another unfounded report and we have been cleared to conduct school on a normal schedule.

Please be assured that we take these statements very seriously and will take every precaution possible to ensure a safe environment for our students and our staff.

We encourage you to continue to monitor the RCS website and social media platforms for any additional information that we may receive.

Rick Thalls
Chief of Police
Richmond Community Schools
Gabby Smith

RHS Announces New Girls Varsity Basketball Coach

Richmond High School is naming a new leader to help the girls’ varsity basketball team return to the top of the North Central Conference. RHS is pleased to announce the appointment of Gabrielle “Gabby” Smith as the new head coach for the girls’ varsity basketball team, effective August 2, 2024.

Smith brings 7 years of coaching experience to the position, including Rose Hulman Institute of Technology and Indiana State University. She most recently served as the varsity assistant coach at Park Tudor School in Indianapolis.

“We are thrilled to welcome Coach Smith to our athletic program,” said Robert Lee, Athletic Director at Richmond High School. “Coach Smith’s passion for the game and commitment to developing student-athletes both on and off the court makes her an excellent fit for our program.”

As head coach, Smith will be responsible for all aspects of the girls varsity basketball program, including practice planning, game strategy, player development, and fostering a positive team culture.

“I’m honored to join the Red Devil family and lead the girls’ varsity basketball team,” said Coach Smith. “I look forward to working with our talented student-athletes and building a competitive program that emphasizes skill development, teamwork and character.”

Smith holds a Bachelor of Arts degree and a Masters of Science from Indiana State University.

The Red Devil girls’ varsity basketball team will kick off their 2024 season on October 31 with a scrimmage against Tri Jr-Sr High School in the Tiernan Center.
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