ST. CLAIRSVILLE — The St. Clairsville-Richland City School District secured an $88,962 grant for construction of a new entry for the middle school as well as radios and repeaters for the district.

Superintendent Walter Skaggs told board of education members Wednesday morning that the district was just recently notified that it was awarded the grant.

“Every year we host the Belmont County Active Shooter Drill here where we have all the agencies — the state patrol, the local police, the sheriff’s office and our EMS. One of the areas that they found they were having issues with was there are certain areas in our buildings with dead spots,” Skaggs said.

Skaggs said the funds will help purchase the needed upgrades and radios for all the staff members, so communication will be possible from every spot on campus.

“I’m excited to receive that grant and that will be a nice upgrade,” he said.

Skaggs said officials are applying for another grant for the new lockdown and camera systems for the middle school. He said they are hoping to secure a $200,000 grant to increase security at the building. A new door and holding area already have been installed. A new sign alerting people to the entrance will be installed in the near future.

“This way everyone will have their own separate entrance and it increases security,” he said.

Skaggs said the sheriff’s office conducted a second two-day training for area law enforcement and school personnel late last month in the school building.

“It was multiple active shooter scenarios. I think it’s really good that we’re inviting to our local law enforcement because when they do respond, they know the layout of the building, they know where things are, they know the communication. They can identify the signage and know exactly where they’re going. We encourage them to be a part of that. We open our doors to our local law enforcement, and we appreciate what they do,” he said.

In other matters, Skaggs said the federal free breakfast and lunch program came to an end at the conclusion of the 2021-22 school year. He said the district is recommending parents and families complete the free and reduced meal form for the upcoming school year.

“So those individuals that do qualify can continue to receive those benefits,” he added.

Forms are available on the school’s website as well as paper copies at the district office.

A 30-minute closed-door session was conducted first thing during the meeting. Afterward business proceeded. The board unanimously approved both the treasurer’s report and the superintendent’s report and recommendations. Some of the superintendent’s recommendations included approval of the bus routes for the 2022-23 school year, approval of the middle and high school certified staff to serve as Saturday school monitors at a rate of $80 per shift as needed, and approval of the school marching band’s trip to Orlando, Florida, from Nov. 30-Dec. 5.