FR approves school plan

FORT RECOVERY — After voting down a plan to build a new high school last year, school district voters gave resounding approval Tuesday to the new plan to renovate the existing facility.
Voters approved a 2.7-mill levy that will fund a $3.4 million renovation of Fort Recovery High School by a vote of 329-199 (62-38 percent).
“We’re thrilled,” said schools superintendent Shelly Vaughn.“We’re thrilled for the community that they’re going to support this and we can do the things we need to do with our high school facility.”
The project will include a $750,000 heating and air conditioning replacement, electrical upgrades, interior work and demolition of the 1935 section of the high school containing the old gym and four classrooms.
Last year voters shut down by a nearly 2-to-1 margin a plan to demolish most of the current high school and build onto the elementary/middle school building. That $5.34 million bond would have been matched with around $5.5 million from the Ohio School Facilities Commission.
Vaughn said that she thinks the smaller, renovation project passed because of the local attachment to the high school facility.
“There’s a strong sentimental connection to this building. It’s a focal point in the community.”
With approval granted, the project is expected to begin at the end of the school year in summer 2012 and continue through summer 2013. Minor work will likely continue through the 2013-14 year, concluding with the demolition of the 1935 section in summer 2014.[[In-content Ad]]