Dear Freddie family and friends:

As we wrap up another school year, I would like to thank everyone in the community for their continued support of our wonderful district. The last few weeks have been busy for our students as we wrapped up another school year. Following the Baccalaureate on Thursday night, on Friday we celebrated 97 seniors at the 146th Commencement of Fredericktown High School. 45 of our seniors plan to attend college, 39 will be joining the workforce, and 5 students will be enlisting in the military. The senior class also accumulated over $770,000 in scholarships. We can’t wait to see what the future holds for these graduates!

As I write this letter, I would also like to mention our spring sports athletes. Our boy’s track team came in third in the KMAC and many athletes are also competing in the Regional competition tonight. Our girl’s track team won the KMAC and many athletes will also be competing in Regionals.

Our baseball team will play in the District Final at Olentangy Orange on May 25th at 5 PM vs Amanda-Clearcreek.

The Softball team will play in the Regional Final in Centerville on May 28th at 12 PM vs. Miami East. For ticket information, please visit our District Facebook page. Good luck to all of our participants!

I will continue to serve as our Superintendent until July 31st, so please contact my office for an appointment if there are any issues you would like to discuss.

On Friday, May 6th, six Fredericktown Alumni were inducted into the Fredericktown Distinguished Alumni Hall of Honor. Due to the pandemic, the inductees have had to wait several years to be honored. Chad Cochran is an award-winning photographer who graduated with the Class of 1990. Matthew E. Erick, Class of 1986, is the current CEO of Biocon. Pulitzer Prize winner and 1958 graduate, John Long, works at the Wall Street Journal. Lt. Col. Steve Moore, Class of 1972, spent his military career involved with Blackhawk, Apache and US drone technology. Class of 1974 member Margaret Ann Ruhl has spent her career in government positions, including the Ohio House of Representatives. The youngest inductee, from the Class of 1997, was Henry Streby, who is an Associate Professor of Ecology, at the University of Toledo.

The purpose of the Fredericktown Local Schools Distinguished Alumni Hall of Honor is to recognize and honor graduates, living and deceased, who through their exemplary actions and achievements reflect positively on the Fredericktown Local Schools so that present-day students may identify with their efforts and establish goals for the future. Those inducted must have made significant contributions in their fields of study, careers, and/or through community service.

Anyone wishing to nominate a person for induction into the FHS Hall of Honor in the future may pick up an application at the Superintendent’s Office, at 117 Columbus Road in Fredericktown.

Last week, we also had the chance to celebrate our wonderful teachers during Teacher Appreciation Week. These last few months, I have had the chance to observe the high quality of education they provide to our students every day. Thank you for all that you do! Lastly, I would like to invite the public to help us celebrate the 97 seniors in the FHS Class of 2022 at the 146th Commencement Ceremony on Friday, May 20th at 7 PM.

Gary Chapman has been selected as the new Superintendent of Fredericktown Local Schools (FLS). Chapman was approved by the Board of Education at a Special Board Meeting on Monday, April 25th. Chapman signed a three-year contract and will assume his Superintendent role for the district on August 1st, 2022.

Chapman comes to Fredericktown after serving as the Superintendent at Jonathan Alder Local Schools in Plain City, Ohio for the past 11 years (2011 to 2022). Prior to his tenure at Jonathan Alder, Chapman served as the Director of Teaching & Learning at Mount Vernon City Schools from 2009 to 2011.

Chapman has deep roots in Knox and Morrow County. Chapman served as the Fredericktown High School Principal from 2005 to 2009. Prior to 2005, Chapman was the Assistant High School Principal at Mount Vernon City Schools (2002 to 2005), Assistant Middle School Principal at Highland Middle School (2001 to 2002), Alternative School Director at Highland High School (2000 to 2001), Special Education SBH Teacher at Highland Local Schools (1995 to 2000), and Head Varsity Football Coach at Highland Local Schools (1998 to 2001).

Chapman graduated from Taylor University in Upland, IN with a Bachelor of Science degree in Secondary Education. He went on to earn his Master of Education degree in Educational Administration from Bowling Green State University.

Paul Napier, FLS School Board President, commented, “We are excited about Gary Chapman serving as the next Superintendent of Fredericktown Local Schools. We look forward to working with him to move our district forward.”

A new licensure rule will go into effect on May 1, 2022 that will require the Latchkey program to have all staff on duty CPR certified.  This replaces the current rule that requires only one staff per shift be certified.  At this point in the school year, it is not feasible to obtain the additional training, so it will be necessary to close Latchkey for the evening shift in May.  This will not affect the morning Latchkey schedule.  Latchkey will open for both shifts again in August 2022.  We are proud of the Latchkey program and we take the responsibility of caring for your child seriously, so we must follow the licensure rules very precisely.  We are sorry for any inconvenience that this may cause.  

Also, in an effort to make the end of the year billing process easier, payments will be expected at the time of service during the month of May.  You are welcome to pay by the day or by the week.  

Pamela Cline, Latchkey Director
Fredericktown Schools