NEW STAFF MEMBERS — Edison Local School District officials welcomed new staff during a small reception prior to the Aug. 21 meeting. Among those attending were, from left, front, teachers Nate Wharton, Alicia Long and Kelli Pridemore; back, Chase Nolan, Hailee Casto and Meghan Jackson. Katie Oinonen also has joined the staff. -- Contributed

RICHMOND — The Edison Local Board of Education recognized new teachers and staff who joined the school district, as well as student representatives for the 2025-2026 term, during the monthly session on Aug. 21.

Seven educators were welcomed this year during a reception held prior to the meeting at Edison High School. Among the new employees are Nate Wharton, an art teacher at Stanton Elementary; Hailee Casto and Meghan Jackson, intervention specialists at Stanton; Alicia Long, fourth-grade teacher at John Gregg Elementary; Katie Oinonen, English/language arts at Edison Junior High. Chase Nolan, math teacher at EHS; and Kelli Pridemore, FFA educator at EHS.

Superintendent Bill Beattie said the reception was an opportunity for officials to get to know the new employees and he welcomed them to the district. “It was a meet-and-greet,” he explained.

“We’re excited for the new staff we’ve hired, and we’ve gotten a nice mix of new people with experience and new ones coming out of college. We’re excited about what they can bring to the district.”

Student representatives for each school were introduced and will address the board during future sessions. Representing Edison are Leila Sudvary and Brenna Liggett with Casher Dopp at EJHS, Emma Hoobler and Lena Wickham at Stanton and Henry Bernhart and Brea Moses at John Gregg. The student reps were sworn in by board President Aaron Richardson and will be responsible for gathering information and ideas to share with the school board, serving as a voice for their peers in each building.

STUDENT REPRESENTATIVES —Student representatives were sworn in by board Edison Local board President Aaron Richardson include, from left, front, Brea Moses, Emma Hoobler, Lena Wickham and Henry Bernhart; back, Casher Dopp, Leila Sudvary and Brenna Liggett. -- Contributed

Meanwhile, officials were updated on safety lighting upgrades, which will continue throughout the district. Beattie said the project was part of a $330,000 plan to secure facilities, which includes metal detectors and electronic door access systems.

The district previously received $338,403 through the Department of Justice’s Community Oriented Policing Services Office School Violence Prevention Program to add another level of security. The funding must be used by June 2027 and some improvements have already been completed with detectors being installed, while new illumination is being added and plans are underway for electronic access.

Beattie said LED flat panel lights were installed in the junior high classrooms this summer and the next project for exterior lights begins in September.

“The project is slated to kick off after Labor Day and we hope to have it done around Sept. 22,” he said. “There will be exterior lights at the practice field at the high school with additional lighting improvements at the stadium.”

Those improvements include adding 25-foot, four-sided LED light poles around the practice field and parking lot at EHS with walkway lighting at the EHS Sports Complex. Moreover, roof-mounted LED floodlights will be added around the perimeter of the high school, Stanton and John Gregg. Beattie said work at the elementary schools may occur later this year or in early spring, depending upon the weather.

Officials said the flat-panel lights would create a safer environment at EHS and increase illumination in a more cost-efficient manner. The well-lit surroundings would contribute to a positive learning environment and promote student well-being, focus and overall academic performance. Additionally, the light poles would brighten the area and bolster overall safety on the campus, plus they would deter trespassers and lessen the chance of unlawful activity.

Leaders said it benefits students and the public during sporting events at the sports complex. The roof-mounted floodlights are intended to promote safety through well-lit surroundings, which contributes to a positive learning environment at the elementary schools in addition to being energy efficient and environmentally healthy.

Under personnel matters, the board approved certified substitute staff Elissa Thompson, Joseph McCallister, Paul Moore, Shannon Bahen, Donald Bernard, Rich Cernansky, Valerie Lude, Patricia McCreery, Michael McIntyre, Amy Pettit, Shawn Scott and Mychi Stewart; accepted non-certified subs Gina Bengier and Tracie Waggoner; rescinded the supplemental contract for Luke Spencer as wrestling coach; accepted the resignations of Kristen Truex as VoAg teacher and Anthony Materna as assistant wrestling coach at Edison; employed Crystal Knepp and Lynnsee Miles as part-time aides at Stanton; and approved Aaron Henderson and Erin Knipp as certified van drivers with Dana Rohal as a substitute van driver.

Among other action, the board:

• Approved a school policy for personal communication devices and declared it an emergency;

• Revised the administrative salary and fringe benefit agreement;

• Approved overnight field trips were approved for Edison FFA to Camp Muskingum in September for Greenhand Camp and the EHS Cheerleaders to Walt Disney World on Jan. 29-Feb. 1 for a national competition;

• Approved a contract with Trinity Health System School of Nursing for student clinical experiences;

• Approved a cooperative agreement with the Jefferson County Board of Developmental Disabilities;

• Approved a service agreement with Jefferson County Educational Service Center for Title I services;

• Approved a service contract with the Stark County ESC for special education services;

• Scheduled the next regular meeting for Sept. 17 at 6 p.m. at John Gregg.