McFarland schools say five-year equity grant will shift to district-led model, continue mentoring circles

McFarland, Wis. — At its Feb. 3 meeting, the McFarland School District received an update on a five-year equity grant aimed at increasing belonging and academic engagement for students of color. Presenters described a shift from community-run mentoring circles to district-led operations and outlined plans for expanded data collection and a year-end evaluation.

The update, presented by Christine Deck of the grant partnership, outlined five grant goals: student mentoring circles, staff leadership development, district inquiry into results, professional development, and family and community engagement. Deck said about 34 students participate in mentoring circles across grades 3–12 and that the district is intentionally moving leadership of those circles to internal staff to support sustainability after the grant ends.

“Much of the leadership for this work, including the mentoring circles, is transferring from Natural Circles of Support to district staff,” Deck said. She identified the district’s diversity,…