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Wellington committee approves Keeley/Kiely Spinelli grants to fund tutoring and instructional materials across elementary and secondary schools
Summary
Committee members approved Keeley/Kiely Spinelli grant allocations for Wellington schools to fund tutors, interventionists, technology subscriptions (IXL, Generation Genius), and materials; Palm Beach Central highlighted its Math Lab and principals discussed tutor recruitment strategies.
The Village of Wellington Education Committee on Aug. 5 approved the Keeley/Kiely Spinelli grant presentation and plan for distribution to local schools, authorizing school leaders to spend awarded funds on tutoring, intervention staff, curriculum resources and incentives.
Dr. Green, the district’s instructional superintendent, summarized elementary‑school plans: Binks Forest will purchase Generation Genius (grades 3–5), Science Coach workbooks, Scholastic materials and fund tutoring salaries; Elbridge Gale plans to hire both non‑instructional and instructional reading tutors and buy research‑based reading resources; Equestrian Trails will add a part‑time reading interventionist and purchase SPIRE level 1 materials, UFLI manuals and other intervention resources; New Horizons will deploy tutoring in ELA, math and science and use funds for social‑emotional incentives and planning substitutes; Panther Run will maintain two part‑time reading interventionists and start before/after tutorials; Wellington Elementary will fund before/after ELA and math tutoring and buy I‑Ready materials, iExcel and other licenses.
Karen Wetzel described how middle schools (Emerald Cove, Polo Park, Wellington Landings) will allocate funds largely to supplemental technology (IXL, Study Island), additional instructional periods and incentives; Palm Beach Central High School representatives highlighted the Math Lab, which the school will continue to support with funds.
Committee members asked about the supply of tutors; Palm Beach Central said it uses internal math coaches, extra teaching periods and other staffing strategies rather than relying solely on external contractors. Dr. Green and principals said some schools plan to recruit retired teachers, substitutes, and outsource through district‑approved third‑party tutoring programs when necessary.
The committee moved to approve the grant plan, set a follow‑up presentation in October for a formal check presentation to schools, and confirmed staff will disburse funds according to the plans presented.
Why it matters: committee spending targets tutoring and intervention in response to persistent pockets of low attendance and reading achievement, and city funding aims to support both remediation and enrichment across grade levels.
Next steps: staff will coordinate the October check presentation and school leaders will begin implementing tutoring and instructional purchases under the approved plans.
