SALINEVILLE — The Southern Local Board of Education learned about a variety of happenings within the district during the March 11 meeting.

School officials updated the board on programs, grants and other matters, including the potential payoff of loan funding for building improvements. District Treasurer Greg Sabbato said three payments remained on a $900,000 loan the district received through H.B. 264 in 2017. The Ohio School Facilities Commission provided financing as part of the School Energy Conservation Financing Program, which allowed school districts to finance energy efficiency improvement projects and use the cost savings to pay for the upgrades. The updates must generate enough energy and maintenance savings to pay for the project within 15 years, while there would be no additional expense to taxpayers. More than 500 school districts statewide had participated in the program and improvements included installing LED lights and adding sensors to shut off lights in empty areas, as well as maintenance on HVAC systems.

District leaders previously audited the Southern Local K-12 building in addition to the administration building, bus garage and related sites and also included recommendations for installations, modifications and/or remodeling to greatly reduce energy consumption. Sabbato said the funding provided for lighting and HVAC updates to those structures plus other measures to ensure cost and energy efficiency.

“The loan has paid for itself with the increases in efficiency,” Sabbato said. “We still owe $172,401.67 and the last payment is due in November of 2026.”

He indicated that the HVAC unit now includes a monitor for improved operation, while updates in the boiler system also have greatly improved energy usage.

“When we installed the boiler system, the old one’s efficiency was in the 60-percent range. Now it is in the 98- to 99-percent range and we’re trying to heat, cool and light the building as best we can,” he added. “We also installed the new propane system and it’s also a closed system that increases efficiency.”

Among other reports were the transportation department seeking more drivers; maintenance looking to patch the parking lot and complete other upgrades; and the food service department’s continuation of the afterschool dinner program and increases in breakfast and lunch participation. Southern Local Elementary Principal Emily Smith said the school raised more than $2,100 for the American Heart Association and the Scholastic Book Fair recently wound down, plus she was gearing up for the District Showcase on April 15 while 25 students in grades 3-5 were doing early intervention to prepare for state tests. SLHS Assistant Principal Jess Krulik said end-of-course exams were set for April 8-May 13 and all students not testing, except for junior high, will be on a two-hour delay schedule. Those unable to get a ride must travel by bus on the normal schedule and letters were being sent home to inform parent. He added that the PBIS March Madness reward was slated for March 21 and Kent State and Youngstown State University reps would be on hand for CCP application and registration days on March 24 and March 31, respectively.

Additionally, School Security Officer Jeff Haugh and district Director of Federal Programs Kristy Sampson said they were awaiting word on a grant submission to the Ohio Attorney General’s Office for security funding. Haugh also noted that he and district Technical Coordinator Josh Manist were working on improving cameras. Sampson added that preschool enrollment was now available online and only three spots were left in the full-day program. Athletic Director Bob Shansky further recognized grapplers who attended the state wrestling tournament, where Johnny Bailey earned seventh place and Rowan Wiley and Katie Harshberger also participated. He added that track member Mara Miller placed ninth in a recent 3,200-meter indoor race; Finally, Superintendent Cunningham reported that he was awaiting speed limit signs by the school campus and a school zone sign for the Utica Shale Academy. He added that a professional development day was set for March 31.

Among other business:

— Teacher Tiffany Scheel announced her gifted students completed their food drive and will donate items to the Salineville Community Food Pantry. She added that she was also assisting the Columbiana County Fair’s “Read and Win” program and information will be shared with students in grades K-7. The students must read 15-20 books, then enter a drawing to win tickets and food vouchers for the fair this summer;

— Rich Sloan asked the board to provide information at the next meeting regarding the potential impact of cuts to the U.S. Department of Education and free breakfast and lunch program;

— The board learned the National Honor Society was planning its second blood drive on March 25 from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the school gym. Walk-ins are accepted but registration is available at www.redcrossblood.org;

— The board approved paraprofessionals Amanda Ketchum, Kristen Walter and Stacey Smith, cafeteria worker Mary Craig, secretary Rebecca Possage, paraprofessional and cafeteria workers Ashley Wilson and Kylie McComas and custodian Terri Jarvis on the substitute list; Brian Spahlinger as volunteer softball coach; and junior high boys’ track coach and high school assistant track coach Richard Sloan and assistant baseball coaches Aiden Spahlinger and Stephen Grimm on the supplemental list. Also approved were resignations from secretary Amie Forbes and athletic trainer Karleigh Davis and the retirement of custodian Vicki Biggio, the latter two being effective June 30;

— The next meeting was set for April 8 at 6 p.m. in the SLHS Media Center.