HVAC update approved

FORT RECOVERY — The elementary and middle school will get some heating and air conditioning upgrades in the next year.

Fort Recovery School Board OK’d entering into an agreement Monday with Garmann Miller of Minster for a heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) project at Fort Recovery Elementary-Middle School.

School board members hired the company in February 2024 to conduct a facilities assessment on the district’s assets. Garmann Miller representatives shared their findings in October with school board, talking about various repairs the district could expect to make in the next 25 years to its buildings.

Superintendent Tony Stahl explained to the school board in December that the elementary/middle school building has variable air volume boxes, which control airflow and are original to the building from when it was first constructed more than two decades ago. Although the school district has been able to replace parts as needed previously, it’s becoming harder to find them in a timely manner.

Garmann Miller will provide architectural and engineering services related to upgrading the school’s HVAC equipment. Hopes are to gather information and bid the project to contractors early this year, with work to begin in the summer. Stahl explained the plan would be to finish work in student areas such as classrooms by August.

In related business on Monday, school board members OK’d establishing capital project funds for maintaining, improving, renovating or constructing high school facilities and athletic facilities.

Also Monday, school board members Don Wendel, Sean Kahlig, Mitch Fullenkamp, Greg LeFevre and Nick Wehrkamp:

•Heard Ohio State University offensive lineman Carson Hinzman will be speaking to Fort Recovery students Jan. 31.

•Approved the following: eighth graders’ trip to Washington, D.C., from Oct. 27 to Oct. 31; changing Kristy Keller’s work assignment from elementary intervention specialist to second grade teacher effective Aug. 1; spring sport passes for the 2025-26 school year, with Kahlig dissenting.

•Were reminded student appreciation night is slated for Friday during the Fort Recovery boys basketball game.

•OK’d contracts with the following: Valerie Stammen as girls high school reserve softball coach, Charlie Vasey as a high school weight room supervisor and Hannah Siegel as junior high track assistant coach.

•Appointed Wendel as board president and Kahlig as vice president.

•Authorized the superintendent and treasurer to enter into an agreement with Mercer Health for drug testing services and Medical Review Office services as needed for testing employees and K&K Tours for eighth graders’ Washington D.C. trip in October.

•Appointed Wehrkamp as the 2025 Ohio School Board Association legislative liaison and Fullenkamp as an alternate and LeFevre as the 2025 student achievement liaison.

•Approved various other annual legal requirements, including annual authorizations for Stahl and treasurer Deanna Knapke.

•Accepted several donations, including $3,600 from Tom and Mary Pat Zitter split between the elementary, middle school and high school activities accounts as well as $600 from the Zitters for Scholastic Bowl and $500 for choir and $2,000 from Fort Recovery Insurance Agency for the high school driving simulator.