Fort Frye Local Schools Board of Education seeking construction bids for school-based health clinic

BEVERLY -- Fort Frye Local Schools Board of Education met for a regular monthly meeting Thursday evening with updates from board committees and to approve for the district superintendent and treasurer to begin seeking bids for the school-based health system.

Superintendent Stephanie Starcher said there has been a need in the community for a school-based health system available to both students and the public.

According to information provided by Starcher following Thursday evening's meeting, the board approved for Starcher and district Treasurer Kaitlin Huck to seek bids for construction of the health clinic.

The clinic will be located in a renovated classroom on campus. There will be security systems in place to ensure the safety of the students as well as any members of the public who attend the clinic.

"Fort Frye has received $150,000 from the Appalachian Children's Coalition, $20,000 from Marietta Community Foundation, and $20,000 from the Sisters Foundation for the project," the meeting overview read.

The health clinic will be operated by Coplin Health Systems and has received over $300,000 in grant funds from the Ohio Department of Health, according to meeting notes.

Starcher had reached out to the Washington County Commissioners late Wednesday for a letter of support which would allow them to go for even more grant funding.

She said having the support from the commissioners would help gain access to more funds to make the project come to fruition.

During Thursday morning's regular commission meeting, the commissioners approved the letter of support for the school-based health clinic.

Commissioner Charlie Schilling said Thursday, "I think it's a good project for us to support."

The next step in the process begins as bids are sent out for construction companies.

Starcher's overview also included reports from the finance committee, building and grounds committee, and policy committee, who had met prior to the regular board meeting.

The grounds committee met to review responses from design firms on potential bathroom and classroom renovations for next summer. The committee reportedly will make a recommendation to the board during August's meeting.

"The Building and Grounds Committee also reviewed the legal process of purchasing a residential property located next to Beverly-Center Elementary School," according to Starcher. "And intends to recommend to the board to purchase the property."

The finance committee met July 6 to prepare for the approval of the four-year financial forecast, which will be discussed during the the regular board meeting next month.

Starcher also shared with the board the Student Athlete Mobility Act, which passed at the state level and will take effect in October.

"This new legislation allows a student attending a public high school to petition to participate in a sport at a neighboring public school if the student's school of attendance doesn't offer that sport," the overview read.

Starcher discussed the limitations of the law with the board and what that will look like for district sports.

Starcher will be working with legal counsel and administration to fully understand the law and develop policy and protocols for when it takes effect.

More information about the SAM Act will become available and shared with board members.

The next board meeting is slated for 6 p.m. Aug. 27 at Fort Frye High School.

Amber Phipps can be reached at aphipps@newsandsentinel.com