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Student services director outlines seed-grant spending plan, AIM work placements and new LPN hire
Summary
Kim Davis updated the East Lyme Board of Education on plans to spend the state 'seed grant' on ABA/therapeutic curriculum and literacy interventions, new paid AIM work placements with local employers, and the district—s first LPN hire to expand nursing capacity. Administrators must obligate grant purchases by June 30, 2026.
Kim Davis told the East Lyme Board of Education on Feb. 9 that the district is preparing an application for Connecticut—s new seed grant and will prioritize curriculum and intervention supports in ABA/therapeutic and resource-room literacy programs.
The grant, created by state legislation effective July 1, now uses the state—s eGrants system, Davis said. She added that although the grant is not competitive, the district must develop a budget and obligate funds by June 30, 2026. "Our first priority will be specialty programs — ABA and therapeutic programs — to give more consistency to their curriculum resources," she said.
Why it matters: Administrators said the seed grant funding could reduce the need to send some students out of district by strengthening in-district supports, potentially lowering future tuition and transportation costs. Board members pressed for timelines and noted short procurement lead times.
Davis also described expansions to transition programming for students ages 18–22 in the district—s AIM program. Through partnerships with the Bureau of Rehabilitative Services and the Department of Developmental Services, AIM has added employer placements at CVS and Chili—s and is exploring summer-level, paid work-experience pilots for students with intellectual disabilities. Transition facilitator Joe Dyus was singled out for the program—s hands-on work supporting student internships.
On school health services, Davis said the district has hired its first licensed practical nurse (LPN) at the high school, increasing clinical capacity to administer medications, follow nurse orders and support screenings. "An LPN can do things a health aide could not: administer medication and assess injuries," Davis said, noting that the additional capacity will help when nurses are absent.
Board members asked for details about the grant timeline, the number of multilingual learners, and which local employers participate in AIM placements. Davis said the district currently serves roughly 100 ML students speaking about 19 different languages and is working with local businesses, nonprofit agencies and town partners to expand placement options.
The board recorded no formal action on the items and asked administration to return with specific dollar estimates and procurement timelines before the March public hearing on the budget.
The board moved next into a multi-topic budget discussion. Davis—s update closes with the district—s plan to bring the seed-grant budget, AIM placement details and LPN staffing implications back to the board for review before purchases are made.
