Get AI Briefings, Transcripts & Alerts on Local & National Government Meetings — Forever.
Board approves Skybound MOU that could bring up to $3M per school; several MOUs and small grants also approved
Loading...
Summary
The board approved an MOU with Skybound Education to write a next-gen SIG grant (planning year $300,000 per school; up to $3,000,000 per building over three years if awarded) and approved several smaller MOUs and grants, including Excel Youth, Starbase Indiana and a $2,000 HEF Acorn grant.
Superintendent Salinas told trustees the district will partner with Skybound Education to prepare a next-generation School Improvement Grant. Salinas said the Indiana Department of Education gave the district a planning year allocation —each school will get $300,000 for the planning year— and that —After that, you will get up to $3,000,000 per building over the course of 3 years.— The district intends to focus the SIG applications on secondary schools.
The board approved the Skybound MOU. Salinas said Skybound will only charge for services if the grant is awarded. The district noted that seven buildings were eligible for the program and that the planning year funds will be used to develop the narrative and improvement plans.
Trustees also approved a package of smaller MOUs, grants and contracts: a $2,000 Hammond Education Foundation ACORN grant for Edison Elementary to buy an iRobot Root coding robot; a memorandum of understanding with Excel Youth Program to offer a 10-week life-skills curriculum in fall 2026 and spring 2027; a STARBASE Indiana MOU for Jefferson Elementary to continue STEM field-trip experiences; and a $2,934 contract with Smekens Education Solutions to be paid from Title I funds for parochial equitable services to Saint John the Baptist School. The board approved a contract with Grant Specialties to support a competitive U.S. Department of Justice school-safety grant application; the contract amount was not specified during the meeting.
Trustees asked for follow-up details where amounts were not available on the record (Grant Specialties contract) and were told staff would provide additional information.
