Phillips Elementary student Parker Carpenter, right, was given the Focus and Fierce Award by Principal Kristin Lantz on Thursday night during the regular meeting of the Marietta City Schools Board of Education. (Photo by Douglass Huxley)

The Marietta City Board of Education recognized students during their regular meeting Thursday in the Phillips Elementary auditorium.

“As I came into the district, there was a focus on, what does it mean to be a Marietta Tiger? How do we identify what that looks like, what it feels like?” Superintendent Mary Schaeffer said. “The words that came through repeatedly from those folks who were part of that committee were the words ‘focused and fierce.’ That’s what it felt like to be a Marietta Tiger.”

One student from each school was given a certificate for exemplifying those characteristics, including Phillips’ Parker Carpenter.

“He displays fierce character through courage, confidence and determination to do what is right, even when it is difficult,” Principal Kristi Lantz said. “By treating peers and adults with respect, showing kindness and empathy and contributing positively to the classroom community, Parker serves as an excellent role model for his classmates.”

Former board member Sam Tuten, Marietta City Planning and Development Director Geoff Schenkel and representatives from Neighborhood Strategies talked to the board about a comprehensive community development assessment for the former Harmar Elementary School property, outlining a long�’term vision that blends history, education, riverfront access and mixed�’use development. Tuten said this work was about ideas and options, not an immediate decision on the future of the property.

“Hopefully, it’s the foundation of what you know the community would like to see,” Tuten said. “And could help any future decision, as you have future deliberations about the property.”

Representatives of the Mid-Ohio Valley Aquatic Center presented a plan to the board to build a $25 million regional aquatic and recreation complex on the high school grounds.

Designs include a 25-yard competition pool with a movable bulkhead, allowing simultaneous practice, warm-up and competition configurations; seating for spectators on a second level, with viewing for swim meets; a warm-water therapy and instructional pool; and two gyms for events such as basketball and volleyball tournaments.

“This is an exciting possibility for not only our school system, but for the entire community,” board President Cody Parman said.

Read more from Thursday’s meeting in the weekend edition of the Marietta Times.

Douglass Huxley can be reached at dhuxley@newsandsentinel.com