FRHS getting new intercom system

Fort Recovery High School will be getting a new bell and intercom system.

School treasurer Deanna Knapke announced during a Fort Recovery Local Schools school board meeting Monday that the district received a $33,562 grant to replace its outdated paging equipment with a two-way communication system, allowing the main office and classrooms to engage in conversation.

Fort Recovery Local Schools was awarded the funding Feb. 20 from Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation’s School Safety and Security grant. The grant allots up to $40,000 to “Ohio employers who wish to purchase equipment to substantially improve the safety and security of facilities, and to reduce or eliminate injuries or illnesses associated with providing educational services to children,” according to the bureau’s website.

Per the program, the employer must match 25% of the project cost. Fort Recovery Local Schools will chip in $11,187 toward the project, with installation to begin in June by SecurCom of Minster. The school’s portion will come out of its permanent improvement fund.

Superintendent Tony Stahl noted a two-day period last year in which the current system wasn’t working.

“It’s obviously a logistical issue, but also from a safety standpoint, this will be a lot better system,” explained Stahl, noting the two-way communication feature. “Right now, it’s just from the office to the classrooms … it’ll be a little bit better than what we have.”

“We’re better off doing an upgrade,” added Knapke. “I think it’s almost obsolete what we have now. Trying to fix it is really difficult.” 

The school board also made some staffing changes after approving the district’s staffing plan for next school year. Stahl explained the plan is developed based on a variety of factors. Next year’s hiring considerations included different grant dollars, such as the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund, kindergarten enrollment numbers — 65 students — with enrollment expected to remain steady, a need for a potential interpreter for an incoming student and a transition to a district literacy specialist.

With the staffing plan in mind, school board OK’d reassigning Courtney Klosterman from elementary gifted teacher to second grade teacher and Abby Scheidt from third grade teacher to literacy specialist, both effective Aug. 1.

Stahl noted two open positions that will also need to be filled before next year.

In other business, school board members Mitch Fullenkamp, Sean Kahlig, Greg LeFevre, Nick Wehrkamp and Don Wendel:

•Gave permission to Stahl to enter into an agreement with the Village of Fort Recovery for improving safety measures at the intersection of Center and Elm streets (Ohio 49). The $60,000 project — it involves installing flashing beacons and enhancing crosswalks — will be split between the school district and village and should be completed before students return to school in August following summer break.

•Learned about hopes to establish a wrestling club at the high school with about 15 to 20 students interested in joining.

•Heard about potential plans for a partnership with Joe Bruns’ family for creating a putting green for the high school golf team. Bruns was the Fort Recovery High School girls golf coach at the time of his death.

•Were reminded of a few upcoming events at the high school, including the Fort Recovery FFA banquet at 6 p.m. March 26 and prom April 26.

•OK’d FFA Wildlife Judging Team to attend the State Wildlife Judging Competition at Hocking Technical Community College on April 5 and 6 in Nelsonville, Ohio.

•Approved the following: open enrollment policy for Fort Recovery Local Schools for all Ohio; policy adjustments as recommended by Stahl on a first reading specifically related to House Bill 33 and language about transportation; and hiring Christy Kaiser as a classified substitute and Ethan Schoen as a volunteer junior varsity baseball coach.

•Authorized the following: purchase of competitive retail electric service from the lowest bid submitted to Southwestern Educational Purchasing Council for the billing period from December 2024 through December 2027; and Stahl to enter into a memorandum of understanding with the Mercer County Head Start.