PHOTO BY JOHN FRYMAN/ THE VILLAGE REPORTER
RIBBON CUTTING CEREMONY … Bryan City Schools celebrated its new $2.5 million new school facility addition with a dedication ceremony which took place on Wednesday, August 12. School officials along with local and state government officials, architects and contractors took part in a ribbon cutting ceremony. The new addition which has already opened features a career technology center, weight room, and a junior high gymnasium.
By: John Fryman
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
john@thevillagereporter.com
It was a special day for the Bryan City School District as they officially celebrated the opening of its new facility addition on Wednesday, August 12 with a ribbon cutting ceremony and an open house.
NEW CAREER TECHNICAL EDUCATION CENTER
A $2.5 million grant from the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce enabled the district to construct a new career technical education center, a junior high gymnasium and weight room.
“Today represents much more than the opening of a beautiful facility,” said Bryan City Schools Superintendent Mark Rairigh.
“It also opens doors to careers, achievement, healthier lifestyles, lifelong learning and opportunities that will shape generations of Golden Bears.”
Members of the Bryan Board of Education along with school district administrators, local and state officials along with other special guests were in attendance for the ribbon cutting ceremony.
Also in attendance were representatives from Beilharz Architects of Defiance, who were involved in the design and build process, and Michael Kinder and Sons of Fort Wayne, Indiana, who served as the general contractor.
“In all, this project represents a commitment, a commitment to our students, and a commitment to our community to provide the best and allow the successes that will enhance and grow individuals well into the future,” said Rairigh.
The facility addition will allow Bryan City Schools to place an emphasis on the vocational arts, including curriculums that teach the fundamental skills of design and production with woods and metals, while also adding classes that focus on engineering, precision machining, computer aided design (CAD), electrical, plumbing, and robotics.
Serving as lead instructors for the new Career Technical Center for the school district this year are Bernie Davis and Brad Eickhoff.
FOUR COUNTY CAREER CENTER PARTNERSHIP
To enhance the coursework and curriculum, Bryan City Schools will be partnering with the Four County Career Center.
“This year is a great opportunity to see what we can do together and why that’s important,” said Four County Career Center Superintendent Jeff Slattery.
“We all play a role because not every kid is going to a four-year college, but we have an even demand where all students are in career tech education. Together, I think we can achieve that.”
The collaboration will designate this new facility space as a “satellite” location for the Four County Career Center, allowing them to help teach courses, oversee career pathways and credentialing, and supplement learning equipment and resources for students.
Rairigh pointed out that the project didn’t happen alone after construction began in 2025.
“Today we’re surrounded by individuals and organizations who share our vision of creating the best opportunities for our students,” Rairigh said. “I like to thank those who played such an important role in helping make this project a reality.”
Besides appreciating the hard work school officials along with local and state government officials have accomplished, Rairigh also thanked Beilharz Architects of Defiance for the design and build process along with Michael Kinder and Sons of Fort Wayne, Indiana who served as the general contractor.
COMMUNITY AND BOARD REACTION
Bryan City Schools Board of Education vice-president Lynn Wieland commented that he couldn’t say enough about the dedication of the new addition.
“I think back to my time here, many years ago, we had industrial arts, and we had these tools to put into our toolbox to use later in life,” Wieland said.
“The fact that we can do this now and give this back to the generation going forward, it’s going to help us not only in our community but also watching them grow.”
He then added, “When the board first began discussing the future of our district facilities, we had a clear goal.
“We wanted to provide Bryan students with resources that help grow their incredible potential while also meeting the needs of the local business partners.
“Today, that vision is a reality; a lot of hard work and effort went into that. This building is more than just bricks and mortar; it’s an investment in our community. As board members, our responsibility is to ensure that every student graduates with a career path of success.
“The addition of the gymnasium and weight room gives our athletes a safe, modern space to train, learn teamwork, to build character. The lessons they learn on the court will stick with them just as long as their technical skills they master in the classroom.”
Bryan High School athletic director Jason Brown commented that so many people did great things along the way.
“Our community is tremendous in what they do,” said Brown. “I see all of this from a different lens, and I think it helps me a lot as the new athletic director that is trying to manage these great facilities and work with all these people in the community.
“There is a connection to this community that a lot of other towns don’t have. When you look out into the community and see the support we get from the city with our beautiful facilities and we use them at all levels.
“I want to thank everybody for what they’ve done, and I can’t wait to hit the ground running with this new facility.”
“Ashley Behan, who represented U.S. Senator Jon Husted, a native of Montpelier, and Christa Luttmann, who represented Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, presented the school district with proclamations.
Bryan Mayor Carrie Schlade also presented a proclamation on behalf of the City of Bryan.
“This isn’t just a celebration today; this is just the beginning,” said Rairigh. “As you look around the room today, the best is yet to come
“The connections, networking, support and community that we have are going to make this the best and there is going to be more to come. We look forward to continuing our partnerships with all of you.”