The Ohio Hi-Point Joint Vocational School District Board of Education met in regular session Wednesday evening, approving several items focused on campus growth, student opportunities, and school safety as the district continues to expand to meet increasing enrollment.
Construction continues on the district’s new Public Safety Academy building, with the project expected to be completed by the end of 2026.
The Board previously approved Grand Lake Building Company as the Construction Manager at Risk for the project.
The new facility will house Ohio Hi-Point’s growing Public Safety Academy, which prepares students for careers in Criminal Justice, Firefighting, and Emergency Medical Services (EMS).
The academy serves up to 50 students each year. Students complete foundational public safety training during their junior year before selecting one of three pathways as seniors: Criminal Justice, Fire Level I, or Emergency Medical Technician (EMT). The Fire Level I program is offered in partnership with Clark State College and provides a pathway into Fire Level II training.
In one of many expansion moves, the Board approved the next design phase of the district’s CT Facility Expansion Project.
The action allows architectural firm Garmann Miller to move forward with construction design development and establishes a Cost of the Work budget of over $4 million.
District leaders said the expansion is needed to accommodate continued enrollment growth and increasing demand for career-technical programs.
Once complete, the project will expand the district’s Cosmetology and Spa Technology programs, providing additional classroom and lab space as those programs continue to grow in popularity. The project will also make room for an expanded welding facility, allowing the program to double its capacity after the Criminal Justice program relocates to the new Public Safety Academy building.
District officials said more information about the project will be released as planning continues.
The Board also approved renovations to House 6 on campus.
The project will relocate the district’s Marketing and Admissions Department into the renovated building, creating additional office space inside the main high school for student support staff.
District officials said the move is another response to continued enrollment growth, allowing staff members who work directly with students to have more space while remaining close to student services.
To keep the project on schedule before the start of the 2026-27 school year, the Board declared an urgent necessity and waived the competitive bidding process.
Board members also approved a resolution allowing the superintendent to authorize qualified employees to have access to firearms on school property under Ohio House Bill 99 and Ohio Revised Code Section 2923.122.
Any employee authorized under the policy must complete the state’s required training, annual recertification, yearly criminal background checks, and any additional training required by the superintendent.
During discussion, board members emphasized the change is not intended to broadly arm employees. Instead, it gives the district the flexibility to authorize qualified personnel to assist the School Resource Officer and help enhance campus security if needed.
Ohio Hi-Point Public Relations and Marketing Coordinator Kelsey Webb discusses the district’s expansion projects, House 6 renovations, and school safety updates.
The Board also approved an out-of-state study trip for approximately 100 students to attend the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, Indiana, Oct. 21-24. Agricultural instructors, FFA advisors, and one administrator will accompany students on the trip.
In addition, Board members accepted two donations to support district programs. George Spurling of Marysville donated miscellaneous hand tools valued at approximately $200 for use in career-technical education programs, while Koenig Equipment, Inc. donated $1,000 to the district’s ASPIRE Champion Fund.
