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Northern Bedford’s Panther Community Stadium is set to see lighting capable of displaying multi-color light shows this fall after the Northern Bedford County School District school board approved the upgrades at its Tuesday meeting.

The school board approved the purchase of a lighting retrofit in the amount of $290,000 to be completed this summer. The purchase of the show light feature for the stadium lights in the amount of $30,000 was also approved.

The show light feature allows the district access to multicolor show lights and access to light shows that would start with the click of a button.

The new lights will come with a new 25-year warranty, while the current lights are nearing the end of theirs. It was discussed at the December meeting if the warranty on the current lights means the school district would be responsible for all costs.

Superintendent Todd Beatty informed the board there is a chance more lights may need to be purchased. He explained the LED lights provide a more direct line of sight than the current lights. The lights, if needed, would be placed to provide better visibility into and around the stadium. He said the lights would cost $5,000 a piece.

Beatty said he “wanted the board to be aware of that potential.”

While the idea of adding the cost of two lights to the motion was discussed, the board approved the proposed amount. Board member Ralph Scott said he did not want to spend money that was not confirmed to be necessary.

A motion for a new camera and streaming system for Panther Community Stadium was denied when no board member backed the motion.

Beatty explained the cost for two cameras is $12,000, not including installation cost. He said as no other school in the county uses the streaming service, Northern Bedford supporters would have to purchase two streaming subscriptions if they wanted to watch home and away events.

Continuing talks relating to athletics, the board discussed the athletic trainer position.

The school district is in need of an athletic trainer and is searching for a person to fill the position. Beatty said the district would discuss a personal contract or a contract through a third party once an interested person is found.

Currently, the district is using substitute trainers on an as available basis. The board approved the administration to pay substitute athletic trainers for home events at its December meeting.

Beatty said if the district is unable to provide a trainer for an event, the opposing school will be notified.

— The board approved a resolution not to raise taxes above the index for 2023/24 budget. The Act 1 index for the 2023/24 fiscal year is 5.6%.

— Approval of Rebecca Lazor as nurse’s aid for the elementary school beginning on Jan. 23.

— Accepted the resignation of Andrew Four as junior high baseball coach.

— Accepted the resignation of Scott Bellman as high school reading competition advisor.

— Approval of Abby Martin as the high school reading competition advisor.

— Approval of repairs to the high school heating/HVAC unit in the amount of $4,075.

Contact Erica Burkholder at eburkholder@bedfordgazette.com; 814-623-1151, ext. 105.

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A steady rain this evening. Showers continuing overnight. Snow may mix in. Low 37F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph, becoming W and increasing to 15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 90%..

A steady rain this evening. Showers continuing overnight. Snow may mix in. Low 37F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph, becoming W and increasing to 15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 90%.

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