Lebanon school board approves integrated guidance application funding about $5 million in state grants

The Lebanon Community School District board voted to approve the district's integrated guidance application, Superintendent Jennifer Meckley said, clearing the way for submission to the Oregon Department of Education by the April 30 deadline.

Meckley told the board the application brings together multiple state initiatives —1including high school success (formerly Measure 98), the Student Investment Account and a new early literacy grant —1that fund district staff and programs. "This is a total of about $5,000,000," Meckley said, and she described the funds as "highly impactful" because they underwrite positions such as mental health staff, deans and CTE supports.

Board members asked about the risk to those grants from federal funding changes and whether the dollars can be used for capital items. Meckley said the listed grants are state-funded and "are not at risk" from federal changes and that the funding is primarily targeted to staff and programmatic supports rather than facilities.

Meckley summarized district priorities covered in the application: third-grade reading proficiency, early literacy, reducing chronic absenteeism, increasing graduation rates, expanding kindergarten readiness and supporting students' mental and behavioral health. She also described an equity audit conducted with the Western Regional Educators Network and community and student engagement used to set goals.

Board members moved and approved the application by voice vote. Meckley said ODE will review the submission, work with the district to co-develop specific goals, issue grant agreements, and return to the board with the finalized goals and agreements for oversight.

The board's approval authorizes staff to submit the application and continue work required to convert the approved plan into specific ODE grant goals and agreements.