FR Schools seek bids for elementary and middle school project

Hopes are to begin work on Fort Recovery Elementary and Middle School’s heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) project this summer.

Fort Recovery School Board took another step toward making that goal a reality Monday.

School board approved a resolution authorizing school officials to seek bids for the project estimated at just under $1 million. Board members also hired Wes Wenning as head high school football coach and as an elementary and middle school intervention specialist for the 2025-26 school year (see related story) and approved a resolution allowing easements with the Village of Fort Recovery for the sidewalk project planned along Sharpsburg Road.

Last month, the school board entered into an agreement with Garmann Miller of Minster for architectural and engineering services related to upgrading the school’s HVAC equipment. (The company conducted a facilities assessment on the district’s assets last year, sharing its findings in October with board members about various building repairs the district could expect to make in the next 25 years.)

Superintendent Tony Stahl explained in December the elementary and middle school building has variable air volume boxes controlling airflow. Original to the building constructed more than 20 years ago, the boxes are outdated and difficult to find replacement parts for.

Plans call for replacing the boxes and related controls. Bids were set to be posted today and opened at 2 p.m. March 18. Officials aim for construction in student areas such as classrooms to be completed by August.

The school board approved the resolution. It also approved transferring $1 million from the general fund to the permanent improvement fund for the project.

Relatedly, the school board also transferred $1 million from the general fund to the capital project fund for high school facilities and $500,000 from the general fund to the capital project fund for athletic facilities. (The board OK’d establishing the capital project funds last month.)

Also Monday, the school board approved a resolution authorizing school officials to accept easement proposals with the village.

Plans are in the works to install 625 feet of sidewalk along the east side of the elementary and middle school and connect it to Sharpsburg Road in early 2026. The project is 90% funded through the Safe Routes to School program.

Stahl explained Monday the district will accept a temporary easement for property east of the building along Sharpsburg Road and an easement in perpetuity at the entrance into the parking lot from Sharpsburg Road. (With the latter easement, Stahl noted the district will still own the property but the village will have access for repairs and other necessities.)

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

•Approved the following: Fort Recovery Cross Country team to take an overnight field trip from July 27 to July 28 at Chenoweth Trails in Greenville, Ohio; Fort Recovery FFA members to attend State Wildlife Contest from March 28 through March 29 at Hocking Technical College in Nelsonville, Ohio; Fort Recovery FFA members to attend state FFA convention from April 30 to May 2 at Ohio State Fairgrounds in Columbus, Ohio; third grade teacher Kimberly Pohlman’s resignation, effective March 14; paying the following staff for their additional duties, third grade level chair Tami Winner, $227.69, elementary book club advisor Anna Bergman, $101.20, and elementary student council advisor Sophia Homan, $632.49; continuing membership in the Ohio High School Athletic Association for the 2025-26 school year; and revisions to the 2025-26 calendar. 

•Heard from high school principal Ryan Steinbrunner all seniors in the Class of 2025 are on track to graduate.

•Learned from elementary principal Laura Brandt 75 students are currently signed up for kindergarten in the fall.

•Heard from elementary and middle school guidance counselor Miranda Gerlach and high school guidance counselor Amy Kaiser. Gerlach discussed Lunch Club, a mentorship program for youth to meet with a high school student twice a month. Kaiser talked about different facets of her work, including designing career portfolios with students over the course of their high school careers.

•Recognized Fort Recovery girls bowling team for its second year as co-Midwest Athletic Conference champions.

•Accepted $256 in donations.