JACKSON TWP — A naming rights agreement for baseball and softball fields in the Seneca Valley School District will help keep student participation fees low, according to district officials.

During Monday's Seneca Valley School Board meeting, members unanimously approved an agreement with Allegheny Health Network for naming rights of the fields. The organization will pay $50,000 total, with annual $10,000 payments made through 2024.

Heather Lewis, director of athletics and activities, said the district recently entered into a separate five-year agreement with Allegheny Health Network to provide sports medicine services. As part of those negotiations, officials further discussed how naming rights could be included in the contract. Under the agreement, the fields would be officially named the Allegheny Health Network Baseball/Softball Complex.

“They were excited about the opportunity,” Lewis said of AHN.

Money earned from the agreement will go toward the district's athletic fund. According to Linda Andreassi, director of communications, the fund helps cover costs of the athletic program's general operating expenses.

“Having these additional monies will allow us to move forward this year without increasing student participation fees or ticket fees for games,” she said.

Lewis and James Nickel, board president, both said the agreement is beneficial for the district and community at large.

Fifth- and sixth-grade students in the district will have the chance to participate in a new program focused on the dangers of alcohol and drug addiction.Sean McCarty, assistant superintendent for K-6 instruction, said the program — titled “Talk, Connect, Prevent” — is a partnership between the district, Grace Community Church and the YMCA. Focused on teaching students about alcohol addiction and vaping, the after-school program is funded by the church's Grace Project.McCarty said students choosing to participate will be bused from Haine and Evans City elementary schools to the Rose E. Schneider Family YMCA for seven weeks. Parents will pick up their students at the end of the sessions.When the church approached the district about the program, officials already had speakers and a curriculum in place, McCarty said. District health teachers vetted the lessons.“What we hope to do is provide another way, another avenue to help support kids, to see the dangers of addiction at the fifth- and sixth-grade level and to catch them early,” he said.McCarty noted the district already works with the church to provide food bags to district families each week. He said while the program will be held on a volunteer basis in its first year, he hopes to see it grow in coming years.