Schools gets $2.9M in federal grants

Alexis Barker
NLJ News Editor
 
Weston County School District No. 1 received $2,902.004.74 in federal funding through eight different grants during the 2021-22 school year, according to documents provided by Newcastle Middle School Principal Tyler Bartlett. The school provided the information in its weekly email to entice input on the expenditures and potential changes people would like to see under each of the grants. 
“I’m once again sharing information regarding federal grants utilized by WCSD #1 throughout this school year,” Bartlett said. “If you have any feedback for the district we’d love for you to fill out the form located here: //forms.gle/8Mp2GspCEyYZYbes6 or you can always email, call or stop by the office. We’ll also be hosting a Consolidated Grant meeting on Tuesday, May 3 at 4 pm in the board meeting room at the administration building.” 
Following is a breakdown of each grant received by the district that includes the amount of money received, the purpose of the funding and what the district uses the funds for. 
 
Consolidated Grant
Title I: The school district received $473,633.37 for Newcastle Elementary School reading and math school wide programs and Newcastle Middle School math programs for at-risk students. 
This funding stream is used to pay for several professionals in the district, including a portion of the salary for Title I teachers at the elementary school, a portion of paraprofessional wages for the elementary school, a part-time Title 1 math teacher for the middle school, preschool liaison and a grant manager. In addition to the professionals, the grant also helps purchase school supplies for students, various other supplies and funding for summer school and activity programs. 
Title IIA: The district received $171,768.17 for staff development at the three schools in the district. 
This funding stream is used to provide professional development activities for district staff and pay for the substitute teachers needed to cover for them during the activities. This grant also provides funds for several stipends.
Title IV: This grant, in the amount of $76,451.28, is used by the three schools in the district for student support, safety and academic enrichment. 
Expenditures for this grant include salary for an at-risk intervention coach, safety and security air quality sensors and supplies for the video production class. 
 
Other Federal Grant Funding
IDEA 611: This grant provides $277,200 for special education at all three of the district’s schools. 
Funding from this grant pays for things such as professional development activities, an online database for special education records, student evaluations, technology, supplies, special Olympics and various other expenses tied to special education. 
IDEA 619: This $3,667 grant is used for Newcastle’s preschool-aged children. It helps fund developmental screenings at the Weston County Children’s Center. 
Perkins: This $29,120.77 grant is used for career and
technical education at Newcastle High School. Expenses associated with this grant include career curriculum, agriculture education, wood shop equipment, multimedia equipment and the Newcastle Middle School career vocational startup. 
21CCLC: This $200,333 grant funds the after-school programs at each of the district’s schools. Expenditures include a full-time program director, other employees, activities and supplies, and training and conference expenses. 
ESSER II: This $1,669,831.15 is part of the Education Stabilization Fund through the Coronavirus Aid Relief, and Economic Security Act for the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund Fund. 
This funding stream was used to provide audio enhancement, high school summer school for 2021, custodial equipment, elementary science lab kits, curriculum and online platforms, jump start stipends, outdoor tables and payroll expenses for different staff members.