Speedway Schools outlines plan for $884,000 Lilly Endowment Phase 2 grant to expand tutoring and AP supports

District officials told the School Town of Speedway board that Speedway Schools has been awarded $884,000 through the Lilly Endowment Phase 2 initiative and detailed how the money will be used over five years.

The presenter said the grant is structured as a five-year strategic investment with a required 20% local match of $221,000. The district plans high-dosage tutoring as a primary use: 1,500 hours of tutoring annually delivered in small groups of one to four students and led by district teachers to align tutoring with classroom instruction.

Officials said the program has already launched at the high school and in three of four elementary buildings, with the junior high to follow shortly after fall break. Elementary and junior high implementation will prioritize students performing below grade-level benchmarks on state assessments, the presenter said.

The presenter also described how the grant will sustain and expand the district’s Advanced Placement program. Speedway students earned 528 qualifying AP scores last school year; district staff said AP program expenses and incentives exceeded $100,000. The grant will cover AP exam fees, secure AP incentive payments for five more years and fund teacher professional development to expand course offerings.

Board members asked logistical and budgeting questions. District staff said the full Phase 2 award arrived as a single installment and that the district has five years to provide the required local match. The district indicated planned spending for high-dosage tutoring is expected to remain fairly even across the five-year grant period.

District staff said they applied for Lilly Endowment Phase 3 in August and expect an award decision in December; Phase 3 could award up to $25 million and emphasizes STEAM initiatives, the presenter said.