The Summit Board of Education voted to accept 24 grants from the Summit Educational Foundation totaling $99,384 during its Dec. 16 meeting.

Laura Lamio and Amanda Darnowski, who led the SEF grants effort, told the board the fall cycle included nine safety and wellness grants (more than $53,000), seven culture‑of‑belonging grants (about $23,000) and eight project‑based learning grants (more than $21,000). The awards will cover items such as a district‑wide instrument‑based vision screener, Glint AI licenses to create classroom visual supports, noise‑canceling headphones, classroom microphones, cultural performances, peer‑leadership stipends and hands‑on science equipment.

The presentation credited district leaders — including Superintendent Scott Huff, Director of Curriculum Heather Rocco, Supervisor of Technology Doug Orr and Business Administrator Derek Jess — for reviewing applications and aligning awards with the district’s strategic plan. Lamio told the board the foundation has funded more than 2,000 grants totaling over $11.7 million over its 40‑year partnership with the district.

Board member Carlos Mahecha thanked SEF for providing the grant materials several days before the meeting, citing Policy 723 on gifts, grants and donations and saying advance materials allowed the board to perform proper due diligence. Mahecha said he had previously abstained in past cycles when materials arrived too late and asked the policy committee to consider updates that would ensure consistent review time in the future.

A motion to accept the Summit Educational Foundation fall 2025 grants in the amount of $99,384 was made and seconded, and the board approved the motion by roll call. The recorded responses on the motion were: Mahecha (Yes), Justice (Yes), Hanley (Yes), Gunderson (Yes), Cho (Yes), Vice President Kelly (Yes) and President Kohn (Yes).

The board and SEF members posed for a photo at the close of the presentation. The grants will be implemented at the schools named in the SEF proposal; details about individual award recipients were provided during the presentation.