Board approves $225,000 teacher residency grant and $520,138 in additional grants for instruction and health programs

The board approved a package of grants aimed at teacher pipelines, academic screening, student health and middle‑school athletics.

Administration requested approval to continue participation in the teacher residency grant through the Indiana Commission for Higher Education. The district will request $225,000 to fund 15 teacher residents (one placed in each K–5 building with additional middle‑school visits), including $10,000 stipends for residents and stipends for 15 mentor teachers and related graduate coursework to prepare mentors.

Other approved grants included a $96,138.20 formative assessment grant to fund K–2 universal screeners for reading and the newly adopted math screener, PSAT funding for 9th graders, a $100,000 CDC school‑based interventions grant led by the coordinated health program, and approximately $324,000 from the Wabash Valley Community Foundation to fund strength and conditioning packages and mats for middle schools.

"This residency is a powerful pipeline for future educators," the presenter said, describing the year‑long placement model and the district's growing success hiring residents into local classrooms. The board asked questions about placement counts and selection processes and was told Indiana State University provides applicant lists and materials for principal screening.

The motions to approve the grants passed by voice vote.