Returning to normal

FORT RECOVERY — Students will return to a more traditional school setting next week.

Fort Recovery Local Schools superintendent Larry Brown shared changes to school policy this year with school board members Monday.

Changes made for the 2020-21 school year in response to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic have been altered or reverted to their previous form for classes beginning Aug. 24. As such, facial coverings will be optional for students and staff this year. There are also no social distancing requirements in place.

Water fountains will also be reopened, although Brown said staff is encouraging students to use water bottles. There will also be no attendance limits stemming from the pandemic.

“We welcome our students back, we want to do as much in school learning as we possibly can,” Brown said.

Fort Recovery High School sophomores, juniors and seniors can pick up their schedules between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. weekdays through Monday.

Freshman orientation will begin at 10 a.m. Monday.

High school principal Tony Stahl noted if a student and their parents cannot make it to orientation in the morning, there will be other times throughout the day they can stop by to pick up their schedules.

Also Monday, board members:

•Approved an overnight trip for the high school marching band to attend the Buckeye Invitational at Ohio State University in Columbus on Oct. 15.

•Hired Eric Lamm as a substitute bus driver, Jordan Winner as a junior high assistant basketball coach and Shane Stein as a volunteer assistant football coach.

•Renewed a three-year contract with treasurer Deanna Knapke.

•Accepted a $1,895 donation from Fort Recovery Athletic Boosters for the athletics department and a $400 donation from Fort Recovery Community Foundation for the elementary and middle school library.

•Met new middle school teacher Kassidy Wright and athletics director Holly Gann.