FREDERICKTOWN — Fire apparatus access at the new building was one of the major topics discussed when the Fredericktown Board of Education met in regular session Tuesday evening.
Fredericktown Community Fire District Chief Scott Mast, along with assistant chief Larry Schunke and fireman Cody Cline, reviewed with the board Ohio Fire Code requirements for things such as access to fire hydrants. Mast said fire lanes cannot be less than 20 feet wide, and when vehicles park in the “bus loop” that mandate is not met. He added that firefighters must also be able to get to the building’s sprinkler system connection point and showed the board some photos demonstrating that connection point is sometimes blocked. He also showed a picture of the new parking lot — mostly empty while fire lanes were congested with passenger vehicles.
“A parking lot is a parking lot,” Mast said. “And a driveway is a driveway. The problem is, we can’t set up our trucks with the current situation. ... We don’t want to think an emergency will happen (at the school) but we have to plan for the worst.”
Superintendent Dan Humphrey was directed by the board to work on resolving the situation, and said he has already talked with Police Chief Jerry Day about providing assistance in enforcing the fire code rules. Board member Mark Overholt also suggested the use of temporary “no parking” signs to clearly mark the relevant areas, especially while the construction continues.
Another topic discussed at length was the future use of the old high school building. Although the board had previously decided to demolish part of the current structure due to the repairs and upgrades needed, the Fredericktown Community Center committee has asked the board to consider leasing that portion of the building for community center use. After talking about the relevant pros and cons of such a lease, the board decided to take no action at this time, pending the receipt of further information and legal advice.
A town meeting has been schedule for Feb. 21 to allow community members the opportunity to voice their views about the old high school. It will also be a chance for them bring other concerns before the board and to see the new building.
Humphrey talked about what is called Jared’s Law and its impact Fredericktown Schools. He said the district is already in compliance with many of the provisions, but has work to do in other areas. For instance, the swings have to be removed from the Intermediate School playground, and that will occur as soon as Monday. The district will also have to work on the stadium, and complete an increased number of safety checklists and documentation. Humphrey said luckily not everything needs to be done at once, as long as an implementation plan is in place to show the district is taking steps to comply with the law’s mandates.
Regarding district finances, Treasurer Pat Miller said she received a “clean audit” report. Humphrey said there is some good new and some bad news regarding a grant request to help fund the geothermal system at the new building. “The bad news,” he said, “is that we will probably not get funded for geothermal. The good news is, since we are coming in under budget, the difference can help us pay for the geothermal.”
Formal actions taken by the board included the awarding of three contracts for loose furnishings for the new building: Tom Sexton, filing cabinets, outdoor furnishing, etc; Martin Public Seating, student and teacher desks and chairs and cafeteria tables; and Martin Public Seating, pending Ohio School Facilities Commission approval, tables for specific classrooms and labs. The board also authorized Miller to advertise for bids for a new school bus; approved an exchange student for second semester; conditionally approved the graduation list; amended the tobacco use policies; and approved participation in indoor track meets. The board also added Lena Tetrault to the classified substitute list and approved Kevin Berry as assistant boys track coach.
The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Fredericktown school board will be on Tuesday, March 11, at 7 p.m. in the high school library.