HAMMONDSVILLE — Edison Local Board of Education members learned that the district’s ongoing lighting project is nearing completion.

Superintendent Bill Beattie informed officials during the Oct. 21 session that a $330,000 safety lighting plan had concluded at Edison High School and work at Stanton and John Gregg Elementary schools were close to wrapping up.

The plan secures facilities through new illumination, metal detectors and electronic door access systems and is part of a $338,403 grant the district previously received through the U.S. Department of Justice’s Community Oriented Policing Services Office School Violence Prevention Program. Funding must be used by June of 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 over the summer while work on exterior lights began in September.

“The exterior lighting project at the high school complex is complete. They are currently updating the exterior lights at Stanton and John Gregg,” he said. “Those should be completed at the end of October.”

The latest work entailed adding 25-foot, four-sided LED light poles around the practice field and parking lot at Edison with walkway lighting at the EHS Sports Complex. Roof-mounted LED floodlights were also added around the perimeter of the high school with more planned at Stanton and John Gregg.

Officials noted that the flat-panel lights would create a safer environment at Edison and increase brightness in a more cost-efficient manner; contribute to a positive learning environment and promote student well-being, focus and overall academic performance; brighten the area and bolster overall safety. Additionally, the update benefits students and the public during events at the sports complex, deters trespassers and lessens the chance of unlawful activity. The roof-mounted floodlights will promote safety through well-lit surroundings, which also contributes to a positive learning environment at the elementary schools in addition to bolstering energy efficiency and environmental health.

The board also heard from Stanton Elementary Principal Kodi Peterson, who spoke about the students’ morning meetings to help start the day in a positive and welcoming way. Peterson said the sessions build classroom community, teach social skills, and set the tone for learning, plus it helps students feel connected, supported, and ready to learn together. He also discussed the 7 Mindsets curriculum for social-emotional learning. The Tier 1 SEL curriculum has been used at Edison High School and is being implemented at both Stanton and John Gregg Elementary this year and includes topics such as “Building a Common Language,” “100-percent Accountable,” and “Attitude of Gratitude.”

Under personnel matters, the board revised its administrative and fringe benefit agreement to accommodate the addition of Amy Pettit as a registered behavior technician, who will serve under the district’s Board-Certified Behavioral Analyst. As RBT, Pettit will provide services to students who have behavioral issues. Other staffing issues included approving certified substitutes William Stephens, Jr., music; Jennifer Bahen, grades 1-8 education; Crystal Hatcher, Carlye Sempiek and Sara Shay, general education; and Abby Wilson, visual art; approving non-certified substitutes including Karrie Bielski, aide/secretary/custodian/NBC; Melissa Pesta, aide; and Kaylie Reiser, aide/secretary; approving a supplemental contract for Seth Filburn, junior high boys’ basketball; accepting the resignation of Stanton Elementary paraprofessional aide Bailee Haught and varsity boys’ wrestling coach Anthony Materna; and approving Kelli Pridemore as a substitute van driver.

Among other action, the board:

• Approved a swim team contract with Steubenville City Schools for practices during the current school year;-

•Approved visual impairment service agreements with the Harrison Hills and Toronto City school districts for the current school year;

• Set the next regular meeting for 6 p.m. Nov. 20 at Edison High School.