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Lancaster School District spotlights classified‑employee grant; 27 staff funded for credentialing
Summary
Dr. Kelly Fountain presented the district's participation in the California Classified Employee Workforce Grant and introduced 27 grantees who received tuition reimbursement to pursue teaching credentials; the board and community praised the district's investment in workforce development.
Dr. Kelly Fountain, director of early learning, told the board the district participated in the California Classified Employee Workforce Grant to support classified staff pursuing teaching credentials in early and special education. The district received funding to support 10 teachers at $4,800 per year and allocated educator effectiveness funds to raise each grantee's support to $9,600, the presentation said.
Fountain introduced 27 grantees and summarized individual tuition reimbursements and outcomes. Presenters listed reimbursement totals for grantees that ranged from about $4,470 to $19,700 and noted recipients had earned multiple subject credentials, bachelor's degrees and several master's degrees in education. "In supporting these amazing women, the district invested in the future of teaching staff and changed these women's lives forever," Fountain said.
Board members praised the program and the recipients. The board recorded a net district enrollment of 13,971 (UTK–12 total 13,611 plus 60 in non‑UTK learning programs) and noted a year‑over‑year loss of 339 students in the same month last year; the enrollment report and workforce program were discussed as related district priorities.
The presentation emphasized workforce development and retention: several grantees described balancing full‑time work, family responsibilities and coursework, and district leaders said the tuition support was intended to expand the pipeline of credentialed teachers. The board did not take formal action specific to the grant at this meeting; the program overview and recognition of grantees comprised the substantive coverage.
The board moved on afterward to multiple agenda actions and personnel approvals.
