Hermon-DeKalb Central School District will get $50,000 from the state for “health, safety and energy efficiency upgrades,” according to Sen. Patty Ritchie, R-Heuvelton.

Funding will allow the Hermon-DeKalb Central School District to install new LED lighting in its gymnasium.

The new lighting will not only increase safety for students, staff and guests using and visiting the gym, it uses 1/24th of the energy the old metal halide lights use, according to Ritchie’s office.

In addition, the district was also able to create a new walking/running path that loops around the school’s property. The trail will be open to students, staff and members of the community.

“On behalf of the entire Hermon-DeKalb School Community, I would like to sincerely thank Senator Ritchie and her staff for their continued support and sponsorship of this grant,” Mark White, superintendent of the Herman-DeKalb Central School District, said in a statement from Ritchie’s office. “The funding of these improvements could not happen without her interest and unwavering support of education in our local school communities. She always keeps the best interest of rural schools like ours in mind as she works to support the North Country as a whole.”

“When we make improvements to our schools, they benefit not only students, but the community as a whole,” Ritchie said in the pre-written statement. “I am pleased to have secured these funds, which will improve safety, reduce energy use and help more people to get outdoors and active.”

Release of state funds is subject to state approval.