Springdale wins $749,000 Walton Family Foundation grant to fund ‘empowerment teams’

Springdale School District announced on Nov. 11 that it has been awarded a two‑year grant from the Walton Family Foundation worth $749,000 to strengthen district “empowerment teams.” Dr. Lyons, speaking during the board’s celebrations segment, said the award will fund one position at each high school to lead enrollment work and fund stipend points of contact at middle schools, along with grant‑funded materials and supplies for two years.

The enrollment leads will coordinate with CTE contacts and enlistment contacts, run college‑and‑career planning workshops, assist with scholarship and financial aid processes, and collaborate with feeder middle and junior high schools, Dr. Lyons said. The district expects those staff members to serve as a bridge to families and help increase enrollments and postsecondary preparedness.

Board members were told the grant will also support parent outreach and staff capacity building tied to enrollment work. No implementation timeline beyond the two‑year funding window was provided at the meeting; Dr. Lyons said staff will return with operational details as they finalize hires and budget allocations.

The grant was presented as part of the district’s overall grants strategy. The Walton funding was described as unusually large for the foundation’s typical awards and was characterized as intended to strengthen enlistment, enrollment and employment pathways across district high schools.