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Groton board accepts state grants to open Mary Morrison early childhood center
Summary
The Groton Board of Education approved two Office of Early Childhood grants to support the Mary Morrison early childhood center: $975,000 in operational funding for 10 classrooms and $150,000 in capital improvement funds for two additional classrooms. The acceptance was unanimous.
The Groton Board of Education on June 10 approved two state Office of Early Childhood (OEC) grants to expand the Mary Morrison early childhood center, including $975,000 in operational funds and $150,000 for capital improvements.
Shannon, the district's project manager and grant writer, told the board the district originally received a construction award and later obtained companion operational funding. "We were awarded the companion ... grant to the capital improvement grant that we received back in January," she said, adding the district received $780,000 for the initial eight classrooms and a supplement that brought total operational funding to $975,000 for 10 classrooms.
Board members asked staff to clarify earlier estimates. Staff explained that initial expectations had been for $600,000 for construction and $600,000 for operations; the final package consolidated awards so that construction and capital work are covered and the operations line will support expanded classroom needs. The capital funds include $150,000 targeted to two additional classrooms the district requested.
Board member Mike Whitney moved to accept the two grants by name: "I make a motion to approve the OEC grant for operational funds in the amount of 975,000 and to approve the OEC grant for capital improvement funds in the amount of $150,000." Mitch Shimbra seconded the motion. The board counted eight participants in the meeting and recorded a unanimous vote in favor.
School staff described a staffing plan tied to the grant money: a mix of transferred special-education staff, a speech pathologist (1.6 FTE districtwide with 1.6 scheduled at Mary Morrison), a social worker and nursing support, plus paraeducator coverage. Staff said the OEC award will fund salaries, classroom supplies and some furniture and playground enhancements needed to open classrooms.
District staff also asked the board chair to sign grant-acceptance documents and noted the mayor's acknowledgement would be required as part of the acceptance process. The board voted to accept the grants and asked staff to return with implementation details and a timeline for site visits.
The board adjourned the Mary Morrison portion of the meeting after the vote; staff said they will coordinate a walkthrough with counselors and other partners once construction areas are safe for visitors.
