HAMMONDSVILLE — The Edison Local School District has gained more than $338,000 to enhance school safety.

Edison was among five schools and school districts across Ohio and the only one in Jefferson County to split a $1,057,371 allocation through the U.S. Department of Justice’s Community Oriented Policing Services Office School Violence Prevention Program. The district will receive $338,403, which will be used for lighting, metal detectors and access control systems for another level of security.

District Superintendent Bill Beattie said officials applied for the funding last summer and the allocation must be used by June of 2027.

“The grant is over a three-year period and the scope of work could be done at once or over three years,” Beattie explained. “The focus for the first year is at Edison High School with John Gregg Elementary during 2025-26 and Stanton in 2026-27. John Gregg and Stanton could be done over the next year or we could complete them over the next three.”

Among the pending projects are the installation of LED flat panel lights in junior high classrooms; roughly a dozen 25-foot, four-sided LED light poles around the practice field and parking lot at Edison High School; walkway lighting at the EHS Sports Complex; roof-mounted LED floodlights around the perimeter of the high school, Stanton and John Gregg Elementary Schools; metal detectors at all three buildings; and an electronic entry system for access control at all three sites.

Officials said the flat-panel lights would create a safer environment at EHS and increase illumination in a 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 it would deter trespassers and lessen the chance of unlawful activity. Leaders said it also 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.

“We’re going to have the ability to upgrade the exterior of our facilities with LED lighting,” Beattie said. “It will give us better coverage and lighting for the facilities.”

Officials saw a need for metal detectors at all of the schools and have already added three at EHS with district funding, while the electronic entry system would significantly reduce the risk of unauthorized access. The district collaborates with local law enforcement and will have a rapid lockdown capability.

“We have an order for the metal detectors and will put the lighting out for bids in the next few weeks,” he added. “By mid-November, we should know the potential cost.”

According to Justice Department officials, more than $600 million was disbursed to law enforcement agencies and stakeholders across the U.S. to support efforts such as hiring law enforcement officers, keeping schools safe, expanding programs for law enforcement mental health and wellness services and combating illegal drugs. The funding commemorates the 30th anniversary of the COPS Office and the passage of the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act, which advanced community policing across the country and provided a variety of resources from grants and training to technical assistance. The COPS School Violence Prevention Program invests in evidence-based school safety programs and other state recipients included the Lorain Local School District in Lorain County, $500,000; Worthington City School District in Franklin County, $150,000; Wethersfield Local Schools in Trumbull County, $38,940; and Promise Academy in Cleveland, $30,028.