Sheldon ISD outlines after‑school program growth, $1.5M in grant funding and new initiatives

Sheldon Independent School District staff presented an update on the district’s after‑school program, telling the board that the program served 984 students this year, is funded through multiple federal/state grants and currently has more than $1,500,000 dedicated to after‑school services.

The presentation, delivered by Hista Clark, after‑school program supervisor and project director, described the program as grant‑funded and targeted to students with the greatest academic and social‑emotional need. “Currently, we employ 58 employees through frontline staff, and we are actively hiring,” Clark said, describing the staff pipeline and training work. She said the program’s stated purposes are student safety between roughly 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., improved academic achievement and social‑emotional supports.

Clark told trustees the after‑school program operates under three funding streams—Cycle 11, Cycle 12 and a new partnership grant administered with the Harris County Department of Education—and that sites report compliance measures and SMART goals to oversight organizations including Westat and Texas ACE. “This year alone we have already serviced 984 students,” Clark said, and she said the district is meeting quality benchmarks required by the grant oversight process.

The presentation listed several program initiatives and expansions: an entrepreneurship unit culminating in a Shark Tank–style showcase; a Little STEM Academy for kindergarten through second grade; weekly sports leagues (football, basketball and soccer) for interested students; eSports teams at lower grade levels; and additional high‑impact tutoring time for Cycle 12 campuses. Clark said some campuses are supplementing after‑school programming with certified teachers for targeted small‑group instruction while frontline staff reinforce classroom instruction.

Board member Mr. Reed praised staff work during the discussion, saying, “I just appreciate the work that goes into the action program and how you all continue to see, make it better.” Clark and the district also noted collaborations with other departments and community partners for family engagement and program advisory feedback.

Trustees asked for and received compliance and outcome details: Clark said monthly pairing events and attendance targets are required by the grants, and that program assessment data is monitored locally as well as by the grant technical assistance providers. She reported that, for cycle 11 sites, a new “health dashboard” compliance measure showed sites operating at the expected quality level and that four schools were on track to meet attendance targets by the end of the year.

Clark and staff listed supports the district has added to reduce disciplinary incidents among students—more SSAs (student support assistants), additional interventionists, mental‑health services and restorative‑practices training—which district staff credited with declines in suspensions at some elementary campuses. Clark also described a partnership with Fortis (Harris County Department of Education program) for students referred for drug‑ and alcohol‑related issues.

Why it matters: after‑school program funding and design affect student safety, learning time and family supports for students identified as having high needs. The grants and partnerships cited also determine program compliance, staffing needs and the district’s ability to sustain offerings.

The board did not take a formal vote related to the program during the presentation; the portion of the meeting was a staff report and discussion with trustees.