Wellington distributes $440,000 Kiely Spinelli grants to local schools

The Village Council of Wellington presented $440,000 in Kiely Spinelli grant awards to local school principals and Palm Beach County School District representatives during its Oct. 14 meeting.

Village staff and council members announced the increased total from last year’s $407,000 and said each principal would receive a $40,000 check. “This is my sixteenth year servicing District 6 … Dollars 440,000. Big time, big time making a difference in the lives of students,” said Marsha Andrews, who represents District 6 on the school board.

Superintendent William Burke accepted the grant on behalf of the district and thanked the village for the continuing partnership. Village officials invited principals Manning (Equestrian Trails Elementary School) and Salazar (New Horizons Elementary School) to the dais and recognized the schools and teachers as grant beneficiaries.

Council members framed the grant as consistent with village priorities. A council member said the grant “is a statement of our priorities” and that Wellington’s budget reflects those priorities. Another council member noted that, with the current distribution, the village has now invested more than $5 million in its schools to date.

The presentation included brief remarks from school and village leaders and a group photo. No formal council vote was recorded for the grant distribution during the presentation; council members described the award as part of the village’s ongoing education funding programs.

Council and district officials said they would continue collaboration on school support and civics outreach. The presentation concluded with council members and school leaders congratulating the principals and thanking teachers and staff for their work.