Marshall County schools awarded $500,000 Transitional Coach grant for Asbury High School

The Marshall County Board of Education unanimously approved a $500,000 Transitional Coach Program grant for Asbury High School at its March 12 meeting.

Superintendent Dr. Cindy Wigley announced the award and described it as a district‑managed grant that opens a series of student needs–based awards to all Marshall County high schools. "I am pleased to announce that the Marshall County Board of Education has been selected to begin the Transitional Coach Program," Wigley said, noting students will qualify based on state‑approved economic‑need criteria such as free and reduced lunch status and other early‑warning indicators.

The board voted to approve the grant and the accompanying memorandum of understanding (MOU) for Asbury High School; the motion was made by Mr. Tony Simmons and seconded by Mr. Terry Kennamer and passed unanimously. Wigley said the initial $500,000 award has been made to Asbury High School and that allocations for Brindlee Mountain High School, DAR High School and Douglas High School are expected to be finalized this summer.

Wigley outlined minimum qualifications for the Transitional Coach positions: a graduate degree in social work, psychology, mental health, family and marriage counseling, or professional counseling, with professional licensure required when applicable. She described the positions as contract roles intended to expand social, emotional and transitional supports to students deemed at risk by state economic‑need indicators.

The approval authorizes the district to execute the MOU and begin implementation steps at Asbury High School. The district did not specify a timeline for hiring or the number of coach positions funded by the initial award; Wigley indicated further allocation details will be finalized during the summer.