The South Williamsport School District has been awarded $1 million in grant money for their ongoing building improvement project, Dr. Eric Briggs announced at the district’s recent October school board meeting.

The funds were awarded through the Public School Facilities Improvement Grant, which provides grants to public school districts and area career and technical schools for eligible facility improvement projects. The Program is administered by the Department of Community and Economic Development under the direction of the CFA, according to the department’s website.

“This funding is crucial for creating a safe, modern learning environment that fosters academic achievement and personal growth. We are excited to move forward with this project and look forward to the positive changes it will bring to our school community,” Superintendent Dr. Eric Briggs said in a statement to the Sun-Gazette.

“I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to Senator Yaw and Representative Flick for their unwavering support in securing grant funding for the high school renovation project at the South Williamsport Junior-Senior High School,” the statement continued.

“Their dedication to our community and commitment to enhancing educational facilities will have a lasting impact on our students and staff,” he concluded.

“It is critical that we support efforts to improve aging infrastructure in many of our local schools, some of which haven’t seen significant upgrades in decades,” State Sen. Gene Yaw, R-Loyalsock Township said in a statement provided to the Sun-Gazette.

“The funding approved yesterday will be incredibly impactful for the school,” the statement continued.

“I was thrilled to be able to obtain funding for the South Williamsport Area School District,” Flick, a member of the Children and Youth committee, said in a statement to the Sun-Gazette.

“I am dedicated to supporting teachers and students along with administrators in our area. We are fortunate to have great school districts in our region,” the statement continued.

“Superintendent Dr. Briggs and the school board have the best interest of the students in mind and I applaud them,” Flick’s statement concluded.

At the meeting, Briggs also announced plans for the construction of a new soccer and track and field complex, as the board authorized ELA Sports to seek approval from Armstrong Township to construct the new complex at the current park site, presently owned by South Williamsport Borough.

In financial matters, the board approved following change orders for lintels for phase three wall penetrations in the amount of $1,431, the furnishing and installation of roof duct supports in the amount of $5,815.50 and completion of additional floor coverings at a cost of $16,824.33 by McKissick Architects in support of the Central Elementary School project; an agreement with Hummer Turfgrass for maintenance of the practice football, baseball, softball and soccer field; an agreement with Bayada for school nursing and field trip nursing services. This will allow for nurses from Bayada to fill in at times when district nurses are not available.

In staffing issues, the board approved Courtney Arce as long-term special education substitute teacher from Oct. 23 to the end of the 2024-2025 school year at a rate of $200 per day and benefits; Jenna Barton as food services manager at a rate of $18.55 per hour; Charles Amer, Kelsey Hein and Carissa Houser as BlaST IU 17 guest teachers; Mary Geise and Bethany Marcello as certified substitutes; Curtis Anthony as a game worker for the 2024-2025 winter season; and a number of class and club advisers and winter athletic coaches with stipends ranging from $220 to $4,795.

The next school board meeting will be held at 6 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 18.