NEWTON FALLS — The Newton Falls School District will use a pair of grants to cover the cost of security cameras and fencing at its schools and bus garage.

Treasurer Ben Marko said the $400,000 school safety grant the district received in the fall was distributed in two grants. The first grant was worth $106,128 and the second, $293,872

The board approved using the funds for two projects to enhance the safety of students and staff.

The first will be used for exterior cameras and a video-management system at the junior / senior high school.

Marko said the cameras from Wadsworth Solution cost $169,828. He said there are three separate projects with one costing $11,445, the second at $86,729 and the third at $71,654.

He said two of the camera projects are at the high school and the third will be at the elementary / middle school.

The board also approved the installation of a new security fence for the bus garage from Austintown Fence Co. LLC for $9,263.

Marko said the grants needed to be used before the end of the year.

Officials said work will begin in 2024 and be completed by the end of spring.

In other business, the board is taking applications from residents to fill an opening on the school board. The deadline to apply is Jan. 5.

Officials said Carole Mazanetz-Elliott, whose term ends Dec. 31 after being appointed to fill the unexpired term of Julie Stimpert when she left the board to begin serving on village council, is among those who has submitted an application.

Marko said the new board member will be named in January.

In addition to Teresa Oakes, who was re-elected to the board, the other new member is Mark Stimpert, who will begin in January.