LISBON – Big things are happening in the Beaver Local School District, not least of which is the construction of a new K-12 facility.

District students heading back the classroom today will be seeing some significant changes to school policies and staff as well.

Over the summer months the district board of education has held readings of several policies, which, if adopted, could have a significant impact on students.

Earlier this month, the board adopted a random drug testing policy for students participating in sports, extracurricular activities or who have a parking permit. A draft copy of the policy is available for viewing on the district’s website.

On the academic side of things, a new policy is in the works for determining the class rank of graduating seniors. According to a draft copy of the policy, the new system would replace the traditional salutatorian and valedictorian designations with three different distinctions – summa cum laude, meaning “with highest praise;” magna cum laude, meaning “with great praise;” and cum laude, meaning “with praise.” The policy also states the board wishes to recognize students taking dual credit or AP (Advanced Placement) credit courses for their rigorous academics.

Work continues on the district new K-12 facility on Bell School Road. Rainy weather at the beginning of summer delayed the progress of construction crews. However, the architectural firm in charge of the project, Olsavsky Jaminet of Youngstown, says work is back on schedule and they hope to have a roof installed on the facility by Christmas time so crews can work through the winter months.

Getting to school may be a little different for some district students this year. The district recently reached an agreement with Lisbon School district and the Columbiana County Educational Service Center to share bus services. The agreement will allow the three districts to consolidate bus routes by allowing some students to ride another district’s bus to school. The districts involved in the agreement are required to keep student’s parents informed of any changes.

With rising food cost and more stringent federal nutrition guidelines, meal prices have increased at Beaver Local. All district students now will pay $1.25 for breakfast. For students in grades K-4, lunch is now $2.50., and for middle school (grades 5-8) and high school (grades 9-12) students, lunch cost is $2.75. Breakfast cost increased by 25 cents and lunch prices jumped up 20 cents from a year ago. Adult prices, for faculty and staff, increase to $2 for breakfast and $4 for lunch.

“Nobody likes to see the prices go up, but with what the government is doing to us it’s warranted,” said Greg Eisenhart, board president, at a recent board meeting.

Not the least of the changes student will notice this school year are the new faculty, staff and coaches.

New coaches and athletic staff hired in the summer months include Kevin Sevey as boys soccer coach, Lori Cascio as high school assistant basketball coach, Eric Lowe as sports program coordinator, Steve Mercer as high school assistant football coach, Charles Dolnosich as high school assistant football coach, and Nathan Harper as middle school football coach. Teachers added over the summer include: Rachel McDougal as a second grade teacher assigned to Calcutta Elementary, Jennifer Awana as an Intervention Specialist assigned to ED unit, Charles Dolnosich as Floating Intervention Specialist (K-12), Robert Flint as Floating Intervention Specialist (K-12), Renee Torrence as an art teacher assigned to Elementary Art, Katheryn Neville as an Intervention Specialist assigned to Rogers Elementary MH Unit, Karolynn Walgate as a Floating Intervention Specialist (K-12), and Julie Jennings as a Floating Intervention Specialist (K-12).