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Lolo-area schools report summer programs; Woodland wins $1M literacy grant and expands preschool
Summary
Old New York Lolo School described summer tutoring and meal programs; Woodland School said it received a roughly $1 million four‑year literacy grant, will add a 3‑year‑old preschool and hire staff including a counselor.
Representatives of two Lolo-area schools updated the council on summer programming, facilities work and a state literacy grant.
Dale, representing Old New York Lolo School, said the school is running a four-week “Jump Start” tutoring program for early graders, kindergarten‑readiness activities, weekday grab-and-go summer meals for anyone 18 and younger from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., and maintenance projects including soccer-field repairs and gym refinishing. “Anybody 18 or under can come get free breakfast and lunch ... it's grab and go. No questions asked,” Dale said, adding the meals are federally funded and not levied from local tax revenue.
Principal John Martin of Woodland School reported the district received a literacy grant from the Montana Office of Public Instruction that will provide just over $1 million over four years to buy curriculum, literacy supplies, fund teacher professional development and pay for an instructional coach. Martin said the district will use grant funds to expand preschool services by adding a 3‑year‑old preschool slot and will hire an additional teacher, a full‑time paraeducator (starting pay $18/hour) and a school counselor. He added Woodland will pilot a remote‑learning option for families who prefer home-based instruction.
Safety and operations questions: Council members asked about bus safety and the prospect of adding cameras on school buses to capture illegal passing. Martin said the matter was under review and that county legal counsel had forwarded a question about enforcement and evidence admissibility to the state attorney general, and that the district expects an answer in August or September.
Why it matters: The literacy grant and expanded preschool increase services for young children and carry multi‑year staffing and curriculum implications. Summer meals and tutoring programs provide immediate supports to students and families this summer.
Logistics and next school year: Martin said enrollment looks to be about 40 students at Woodland next year (up roughly 10 from the prior year) and that the district’s first day of school will be Aug. 28 with jump‑start days planned for kindergarten through grade 2.
