BEVERLY — Fort Frye Local Schools’ Board of Education recently heard a proposed curriculum adoption for high school Spanish and math, reviewed the district’s four-year financial forecast and approved a roughly $1 million renovation contract for work planned in summer 2026, according to a release from the district.

The board met Thursday at Salem-Liberty Elementary School.

Curriculum Director Nichol Honaker presented recommended instructional materials for high school Spanish and math following months of review by a team of teachers and administrators. According to the release, the district used nationally recognized standards to evaluate textbook and program options. The proposed adoption includes textbooks and online instructional materials. A resolution to adopt the materials is expected to be placed on the March agenda.

Washington County Board of Developmental Disabilities Superintendent Tiffany Neill also addressed the board, outlining services the agency provides for children and adults, according to the release.

Treasurer Kaitlin Huck presented the district’s four-year financial forecast, noting projected cost savings since the fall forecast after Fort Frye joined a health insurance consortium rather than remaining fully self-insured, according to the release. Huck also said uncertainty remains around future property tax revenues due to House Bill 186, which caps how much property taxes can increase following reappraisals. The Ohio Department of Taxation has not yet released the inflation factor that will be used to calculate the cap, the release said.

“The district will likely need to file an amended forecast in late April, early May to reflect that information once it is made available,” Huck said in the release.

Superintendent Stephanie Starcher said the district is taking a conservative approach to forecasting because the formula tied to House Bill 186 has not yet been finalized. The law caps large year-to-year increases in property taxes following revaluations, but the inflation index used to calculate the cap has not been set by the state.

“What we were afraid of is we don’t want to base spending and staffing and programs on money that isn’t guaranteed,” Starcher said in an interview, adding that the district plans conservatively and will amend its forecast once the state releases the formula.

Starcher said the district is not planning policy changes related to the new law but continues to pursue grant funding, including applications for a possible school-based health clinic and an equipment grant.

The board approved personnel items, including athletic coaching contracts and teacher transfers and reassignments and accepted multiple donations from local businesses, according to the release.

Board members also approved a contract of about $1 million with 3-D Construction for renovations at Fort Frye High and Middle schools scheduled for summer 2026. The work includes remodeling original restrooms, replacing original classroom doors to enhance security, and replacing original acoustic sound panels in the auditorium and band room. Vice President Kevin Worthington said he was pleased the project came in under budget, according to the release.

The board entered executive session to discuss personnel and upcoming union negotiations. Starcher said no action was expected to follow the executive session.

The board’s next regular meeting is scheduled for Monday, March 23, at Beverly-Center Elementary School.