Richfield Beacons program highlights growth, warns 21st Century grant renewal is not guaranteed

Director Jonathan Hyer and partners told the Richfield School Board on Jan. 21 that the district’s Beacons extended‑learning programs have grown sharply this year but face uncertainty because the district must reapply for a competitive 21st Century grant.

In a presentation to the board, Director Jonathan Hyer said the district is in “the final year of a 6 of 6 year grant cycle,” and that the grant currently brings about $880,000 a year into the district through partner organizations. Hyer said roughly 10% of that funding flows directly through Richfield Public Schools to offset transportation, facility and leadership costs and that partners such as the YMCA and the Boys & Girls Club leverage additional funding to run programs at the elementary, middle and high school levels.

The presentation’s nut graf: the programs have measurable enrollment gains and expanded offerings but the next grant cycle requires a competitive application that emphasizes new and innovative programming; if the district does not win…