Two new vending machines were installed in the East Palestine School District, but they don't dispense any snacks or even drinks. Instead, they dispense books.

These vending machines will enhance and support the Positive Behavior Interventions Support (PBIS) system the district has in place, with the overall goal of generating excitement around reading and collaboratively reinforce the effort of recognizing positive behavior among students.

The machines were donated by the EP Bulldog Parent Teacher Organization (PTO), as well as Norfolk Southern, the railroad company responsible for the train derailment in the village in early February.

"Thank you to Norfolk Southern for listening to our ideas and recognizing the importance of such an initiative with our schools. The impact will travel much further than just a single book. It will be reflective in each positive behavior shown by students and will trickle on to others," said PTO representative, Allison Oltmann.

One machine has been installed in the elementary school and another has been installed in the middle school. Norfolk Southern has supplied the initial stock of books and PTO members continue to purchase books for the vending machines for future use.

East Palestine is among the first school districts in the Valley to implement book vending machines in its schools. Other local districts who have installed book vending machines include Hubbard and Howland.