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School grant committee weighs federal LEAPS grant to boost after‑school tutoring and staffing
Summary
A school grant committee discussed applying for the federal LEAPS grant, which requires about 15 hours per week of programming and may prioritize staff salaries; the committee heard that a comparable award funded two sites with roughly $610,000 in 2024 and reviewed local tutoring data serving about 92 students.
Members of a school grant committee discussed pursuing the federal LEAPS grant as a potential multi‑year funding source for after‑school programming and tutoring, Tanya, the committee presenter, said. She urged the group to consider submitting an intent to apply when the application window opens.
The proposal matters because LEAPS requires programs to provide roughly 15 hours of service per week, needs participating sites to meet a 50% free‑and‑reduced‑price enrollment threshold, and obliges childcare certification and annual state audits, Tanya said. "So it's it's a big funding source," she added, citing Manchester City's 2024 award of about $610,000 across two sites as an example.
Why it matters: committee members said securing a large federal grant could shift recurring after‑school costs from the district budget to grant funding and allow expansion of tutoring and staffing. The committee heard district tutoring metrics from a teacher who said the program now serves about 92 students with roughly 15 teachers or teacher assistants districtwide and that teachers report measurable gains in closing learning gaps.
Details discussed: Tanya outlined the likely timeline and rules as the committee understands them: the application window is expected to open around Feb. 1, applications are typically due by about April 1, and awards are often announced the week before school begins. She stressed that federal grants have strict restrictions on allowable expenditures—federal funds commonly cover salaries and program delivery rather than equipment or playground purchases—and that larger awards require both high enrollment and sustained attendance.
Committee members asked whether the district could supplement LEAPS funding with local budget dollars or parent fees. Tanya said federal requirements are particular and that she did not expect routine approval for supplemental parent charges or for using local funds to pay for items disallowed by the grant; she recommended waiting for the official application guidance before making final plans.
Contingency planning: the group discussed setting aside part of the fund balance to backfill next year's programming if a LEAPS application fails and agreed to continue seeking other grant opportunities that match the district's program narrative. The Chair said central office will email finalists and loop committee members into notification messages once decisions are made.
What happens next: Tanya said she will prepare an intent to apply unless directed otherwise, and the committee plans to revisit LEAPS eligibility, allowable costs, and program restrictions at a future meeting once the application details are published. The transcript does not record a formal vote or final motion to apply.
