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District reports $1.7 million in August grants and smaller awards; class-size snapshot shows improvement in early grades
Summary
WCPS reported nine grants in August totaling more than $1.7 million, including state funding for Judy Center Early Learning Hubs and targeted grants for arts, Title I, school improvement and nutrition programs. Administration also presented a snapshot showing reduced class sizes in pre-K through 5th grade after boundary adjustments and staffing changes.
Dr. Reger presented a grants update to the board, reporting that the district received nine grants in August totaling more than $1.7 million.
He identified more than $1.3 million from the Maryland State Department of Education to continue Judy Center Early Learning Hubs at Beaver Run, Pemberton and West Salisbury Elementary Schools, and to fund a new Judy Center at Chipman Elementary School. Additional awards mentioned included a $16,900 fine-arts grant to Iconicope Schools, a $79,000 Title I Part A allocation to support summer instruction, a $73,000 school improvement grant for leadership and planning, and more than $220,000 for the fresh fruits and vegetables program used to supplement school nutrition offerings.
Dr. Reger also said the district submitted 20 grant proposals in August totaling nearly $1.5 million (proposals submitted for future consideration).
Separately, Dr. Briggs presented a brief class-size snapshot for pre-K through fifth grade, reporting averages: pre-K 16 (no classes larger than 20); kindergarten 21 (range 16–24); first grade 22 (17–25); second grade 22 (20–26); third grade 21 (17–29, one outlier at 29 under review); fourth grade 22 (19–25); fifth grade 22 (18–24). Briggs said the figures reflect boundary adjustments, additional hires and staffing changes implemented for the start of the school year and that the district will continue to monitor movement in enrollment.
Board members and the superintendent framed these reports as early-year updates; no formal actions or allocations were taken during the meeting beyond reporting and continuing monitoring.
