South Range will get state funds

COLUMBUS — The State Controlling Board approved spending authority for the Ohio School Facilities Commission totaling $4 million, to go toward school entrance and road improvements.

Of that total, the South Range Local School District in Mahoning County will receive $187,500 to go toward a $250,000 improvement project.

The board, without comment, signed off on the funding, which was outlined in the biennial budget.

According to that legislation, the Department of Transportation was “to make grants available for state highway improvements at public school entrances” for districts that received assistance from the Ohio School Facilities Commission for renovations or construction projects, according to documents.

Grants awards were to be limited to $500,000 per district, with a 25 percent match required. The appropriation authority approved by the Controlling Board will cover the addition of turning lanes on state highways that provide access to schools, said Bill Courson,who is managing the project.