FR is staying in lunch program

FORT RECOVERY –– All Fort Recovery students will be given free lunch again.

Fort Recovery School Board approved participation Monday in a federal free meals program for the upcoming school year.

In April, the United States Department of Agriculture extended its free lunch waivers through June 30, 2022. The waivers are available through USDA’s National School Lunch Program Seamless Summer Option (SSO), which is usually only offered during the summer.

Each student attending Fort Recovery Local Schools will be automatically placed in the program. Parents can contact the school to opt their child out if desired, although school superintendent Larry Brown said none opted out during the 2020-21 school year.

Also Monday, school board heard from Brown that coronavirus protocols for the 2021-22 school year will be announced this month on social media.

Brown noted masks will be optional, but the school corporation will maintain its current cleaning policies.

“We feel strongly that we’re headed in the right direction,” Brown said. “Those (rules) are always going to be subject to change, and hopefully we don’t have a turn in case levels in the United States. We want to move forward and provide more of a pre-COVID type of instructional setting.”

Water fountains will re-open in the fall, although he encouraged students to continue bringing water bottles and using the coolers purchased last year.

In other news, school board members:

•Approved a contract with Mercer County Health District for public health nurse services.

•Authorized treasurer Deanna Knapke to enter into an annual agreement with Stolly Insurance for school liability, fleet and property insurance.

•Hired or renewed contracts with several van drivers, bus drivers and junior high cross country coach Bob Heitkamp.

•Accepted more than $1,400 in donations, including a $750 donation from an anonymous donor.