Many memories relived at Fairless ceremony
Many memories were relived at the Fairless High School Decommissioning Ceremony on May 31 in front of the high school at 11885 Navarre Road SW in Navarre. Several hundred Fairless graduates, former staff and students attended the ceremony.
Heidi Lehman Novak, a member of the 1967 graduating class, the first from the new building, was the guest speaker. Lehman said she loved high school, named several of her former teachers and recalled they held the prom in the school with the theme, “Evening in Paris.” After graduating from college, she returned to the district and taught kindergarten at the former Brewster Elementary for 33 years.
“It was the greatest gift to teach kindergarten students. I knew the families, and this district has always had a special place in my heart,” she said.
Superintendent Broc Bidlack said they plan to preserve five maple trees planted to honor the five original board of education members Richard Hunsinger, Ruby Andrews, Dr. Donald Cotton, David Gardner and John Regula. In 1964 when the land was purchased, James Brandan was superintendent, and Paul Gribble was treasurer.
“We are turning the page in the Fairless book of the past 56 years since this high school was built. There are memories, successes, failures, along with an endless list of achievements. This building has served the community well during the years, and the students have developed outstanding academic skills. This is truly about people helping others to be better,” Bidlack said. “Now we are turning to the last page and laying the building to rest, to move forward with a new chapter. On Aug. 4 we will hold a dedication ceremony of the new 130,000-square-foot high school building located at 800 Seventh St. SE, Brewster.”
Deputy Superintendent Michael Hearn, who will take over the district reins in August, gave a history of Fairless Schools. He said 50 acres were deeded in the 1830s. They were sold to Andrew Yoder in 1957, who sold them to the school district in 1962. A 1.6-mill bond issue was approved by voters in November 1963 after six times it appeared on the ballot. It brought four communities together: Beach City, Brewster, Navarre and Wilmot.
The school colors of navy and silver were chosen, and the soaring falcon flag was designed by Diane Shekels, a junior and art student. Over 70 entries were submitted to chose a school flag symbol. The 110,000-square-foot school opened in fall 1966. Over 8,000 students have graduated from Fairless High School.
Hearn recognized Ruth Remenaric, the eldest faculty member attending the ceremony.
Eslich Wrecking Co. of Louisville will begin the demolition of the former high school around June 19. According to Bidlack, fencing will be installed around the building to secure the site, and then asbestos will be removed.
“The demolition of the building should be complete by mid-July. The area will be filled in, seeded, graded and turned into green space. The entire process will be completed by September,” Bidlack said.
The total cost of the Fairless school project is $34 million. The Ohio Facilities Construction Commission is providing $13 million toward the project. The remaining $21 million is tax revenue from the Rover Natural Gas Pipeline. Rover Pipeline funds allowed the district to construct a new school without asking for an additional levy.
The Dutton Team will hold an online auction for school items June 7-14. Others participating in the ceremony were Fairless High School band and choir and American Legion Post 549, which retired the U.S. flag and Fairless flag. The flags will be erected at the new flag pole.
The decommissioning board consists of Dr. Jody Seward, president; Hope Hill, vice president; Ken Killian; Charles Snyder; Jason Kirby; Bidlack; Hearn; and Mark Phillips, treasurer.