EV projects let student talent shine
The Ohio Hi-Point Career Center Board of Education approved multiple major construction-related resolutions while also receiving detailed updates on student achievement, enrollment demand, communications efforts, and hands-on engineering programs during its regular meeting Wednesday evening, Feb. 18.
Before formal action items, board members heard a presentation from Mark Curtner, an instructor in Graham High School’s Ohio Hi-Point satellite shop program, and student Blaine DeMarco.
The pair shared photos and details of student-built electric vehicle projects, including a small red race car and a newly developed electric drift cart built on a rusted wagon-style frame. Curtner described the drift cart as a hands-on engineering project that incorporates custom steering, a drift lever that releases the rear wheels, hydraulic disc brakes, and safety equipment including a seat belt, with plans to add a roll bar.
Curtner acknowledged the drift cart’s rough exterior while emphasizing the sophistication of its internal engineering.
“It looks like crap, but we just got an electric motor, electric battery, and some management systems — almost $2,000 in electrical components — to make this thing go,” Curtner said.
Curtner said students plan to compete at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington during the last week of April against approximately six college teams. The Edison State Community College EV invitational competition is scheduled for the first week of March.
DeMarco, a junior, explained that last year’s race presented unexpected challenges, including a course layout opposite of what the team had prepared for. During the event, the car blew a fuse mid-race, requiring on-the-spot repairs before the team was able to recover late in the competition.
Curtner said the car has been clocked at approximately 28 miles per hour when loaded with a driver.
Instructors emphasized the educational value of the projects, noting they require students to design, troubleshoot, and integrate systems rather than assemble prepackaged kits.
“It’s not just a kit that they’re buying and assembling and teaching kids how it works,” an educator said. “They’re actually building it and having to figure out how to make it work.”
Curtner added the projects demonstrate to college competitors that “high school kids can do some pretty cool stuff, too.”
The racing design and building team, consisting of about 10 students, hopes to race both vehicles at both venues this year, Curtner noted.
Superintendent’s report
Superintendent Brad Richardson reported continued student success across Ohio Hi-Point programs, noting that 17 phlebotomy students recently earned their certifications. He also cited milestone ceremonies for cosmetology students who reached achievement benchmarks allowing them to begin internships.
Richardson said Ohio Hi-Point recently hosted several hundred students for a Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) event and noted upcoming state competitions for Business Professionals of America and DECA students, programs that historically produce national qualifiers.
Richardson also reviewed enrollment data included in the board packet, reporting strong demand across both campus and satellite programs. He said 465 new students have accepted placement offers so far for the coming school year, with several programs maintaining wait lists.
Communications and marketing coordinator Kelsey Webb presented an update on district outreach initiatives, highlighting a series of 30-second YouTube advertisements designed to promote Ohio Hi-Point programs.
Webb reported that approximately 50 percent of viewers watched the full advertisements, calling the engagement rate “really incredible.” She also outlined expanded video efforts for satellite programs, teacher recruitment campaigns, and targeted outreach for the Level 1 Fire Certification program, which is seeking additional applicants.
Webb also announced a Youth Science information night scheduled for March 18 from 5 to 6 p.m., aimed at helping freshmen students and families explore career pathways and assessment tools.
She noted that about half of the 20 students needed have enrolled so far in OHP’s new Level 1 Fire Certification course and encouraged continued outreach to help fill the remaining spots. The program is available to students age 17 and older.
$5.78 million public safety building approved
The board approved construction actions tied to the district’s new Public Safety Services Building, a major capital project designed to expand training capacity in emergency services and first responder programs.
Board members approved a guaranteed maximum price of $5,784,001.83 for construction. The GMP establishes the maximum project cost, with any savings below that amount returning to the district.
The approved scope includes construction of the main building, front parking lot improvements, and fire line extensions. A backup generator was discussed but not approved at this stage.
To address unforeseen costs, the board also approved a $250,000 owner-controlled contingency fund, authorizing the superintendent to approve individual change orders of up to $50,000, with larger changes requiring board approval.
The board approved a GMP amendment with Grand Lake Building Co. of St. Marys, which will serve as construction manager under the construction manager-at-risk delivery method.
Architect contract approved for expansion planning
Board members approved a design services agreement with Garmann/Miller & Associates for the Ohio Hi-Point Career Tech Facility Expansion Project.
The agreement totals $462,000 and includes a basic services fee not to exceed $432,000 for architectural design, engineering, surveying, testing, and inspections, along with up to $30,000 in reimbursable expenses. The superintendent and treasurer were authorized to finalize and execute the agreement.
In approving the numerous construction-related items, Superintendent Richardson thanked the board, saying, “That’s a lot of ‘yeses,’ but we appreciate it — and so do our students.”
Four-year forecast reviewed
Treasurer Caleb Lang recently reviewed the district’s four-year financial forecast for fiscal years 2025–26 through 2028–29, which projects steady revenue growth alongside planned use of cash reserves.
Total revenues are expected to increase from approximately $25.6 million in 2025–26 to about $27.2 million by 2028–29. Expenditures are also projected to rise, particularly in salaries, benefits, and capital-related transfers.
Lang said the district plans a $7.5 million transfer to the Permanent Improvement Fund in 2025–26, followed by $3 million in 2026–27 and $1.5 million annually thereafter. The large transfers are tied primarily to capital improvements and building projects, the treasurer said.
Despite the planned transfers, Ohio Hi-Point is projected to maintain positive year-end balances throughout the forecast period, with reserves declining from about $17.8 million to approximately $11.7 million by June 30, 2029.
In other board action
Board members also:
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Approved the January 2026 financial statement, including cash reconciliation and investment reports, and reviewed budget-versus-actual reports.
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Approved appropriation adjustments and formally adopted the district’s updated four-year financial forecast.
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Authorized a transfer from the general fund to the Permanent Improvement Fund to support capital projects.
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Accepted the resignation of an engineering instructor effective June 30, 2026, and the retirement of a work-based learning coordinator at the end of the school year.
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Approved the 2027–28 district calendar, which includes up to five calamity days.
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Approved new and revised courses of study aligned with updated Ohio career-technical education standards.
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Accepted a donation of 26 hydraulic cosmetology chairs valued at approximately $26,000 from Beauty Systems Group of Greenville.
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Accepted a donation from the West Liberty Fire Department consisting of 18 SCBA harnesses, 32 SCBA cylinders, and 25 SCBA face pieces valued at approximately $20,000.
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Approved tuition reimbursement payments totaling $39,961.08.
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Approved summer stipends for academic summer school instructors, work-based learning placements, and career exploration camps.
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Approved a three-year contract for Assistant Superintendent Brianna McCray effective Aug. 1, 2026, through July 31, 2029.
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Approved Sharyn Kopf as a substitute teacher from Feb. 19 through June 30, 2026, at $130 per day.
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Approved salary schedule movements for staff members who completed additional coursework.
The board entered executive session to consider the compensation of a public official before returning to regular session and adjourning.
The board’s next regular meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. March 25.
