Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Education Literacy topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Knoxville trustees approve $938,000 reading grant to expand early literacy and coaching
Summary
The Knoxville School Board voted to accept a five‑year Montana Reading Literacy Grant worth $938,000 to fund high‑quality instructional materials, multi‑tiered supports, early‑childhood literacy and instructional coaching. Trustees approved accountability reporting and a district plan to use funds across K‑12 and pre‑K programs.
The Knoxville School Board voted to accept a Montana Reading Literacy Grant worth $938,000 over a five‑year period, trustees said at their most recent meeting. Board members approved the grant after administrators described a plan to use the funds to expand evidence‑based reading instruction and supports across the district.
Courtney, identified at the meeting as one of the grant’s primary writers, told trustees, “So, essentially, we were awarded $938,000.” Administrators said the grant runs on the federal fiscal calendar (starting July 1) and emphasized that some early spending is required because portions do not carry over between years.
The district outlined three primary goals for the grant: adopt high‑quality instructional materials with fidelity; establish sustainable multi‑tier systems of support (MTSS) so teachers and teams can meet students’ needs; and expand early‑childhood literacy programs serving ages 0–5. The plan also calls for hiring an instructional coach, delivering professional development on the science of reading, and organizing community literacy nights.
Administrators described the district’s spending design as roughly 40% for elementary, 40% for high school, 15% for preschool, and 5% for other activities, and said the grant includes a significant salary and benefits portion. “We need to get $350,000 out the door this next fiscal year,” an administrator said while explaining budgeting timelines and accountability expectations.
Trustees asked about reporting and monitoring; administrators recommended monthly or quarterly updates to the board. The board approved accepting the grant by voice vote. Next steps include finalizing contracts with any outside consultants and beginning professional development this summer, officials said.
The approval requires the district to track expenditures carefully and meet performance benchmarks in the grant narrative. Administration told trustees it will assign staff to monitor grant compliance and provide regular progress reports to the board.
