BEVERLY — The Fort Frye Local Board of Education held its regular meeting Thursday, May 15, at Beverly-Center Elementary School.

The meeting included a presentation from Lowell Elementary School staff highlighting the school’s Positive Behavior Intervention and Support program. Teachers outlined a variety of activities associated with the program, including buddy-reading sessions, staff-versus-student events and a school store that offers incentives for positive behavior.

All elementary schools in the district, including Lowell, implement the PAX Good Behavior Game, a classroom-based strategy aimed at improving student focus and self-regulation. The research-based program is used in Fort Frye classrooms from kindergarten through fifth grade. According to the district, all teachers and paraprofessionals in these grades have received training on the PAX system, in collaboration with the Washington County Health Department.

District Treasurer Kaitlin Huck delivered the district’s five-year financial forecast during the meeting. She discussed ongoing financial pressures, particularly the rising cost of employee medical insurance, which she identified as a significant budgetary concern. Huck also noted that pending legislation could affect the district’s financial outlook. The board voted to approve the forecast, which includes plans to allocate $1.5 million over the next three years toward replacing the roof of the high school/middle school.

The board accepted the retirements of maintenance employee Kevin Wagner and paraprofessional Judy Best. Several personnel contracts were approved for classified and support staff. The board also authorized extended workdays for guidance counselors, the district’s driver education facilitator and PEAK online course coordinator and multiple teachers in the career education and STEM programs.

In athletics, the board approved the hiring of Cathy Borich as the girls’ varsity head basketball coach. Board members also recognized longtime coach Dan Liedtke for his years of service and contributions to the district’s athletic program.

The next Board of Education meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. Thursday, May 26, at Beverly-Center Elementary School.