USD 257 set its sights Monday on $100,000 in grant funding.
During a USD 257 grant writing seminar where more than 40 teachers, staff and administrators converged to discuss grant writing and available funding, Superintendent of Schools Brian Pekarek told the group that because of recent economic concerns and the severity of budget cuts, one of the most important things educators can be doing is looking for non-traditional funding.
“We need to start thinking of the world in abundance instead of scarcity. There is money out there,” he said. “Sometimes the well runs dry and you just have to look for other funding.”
Championing grant writing as a saving grace for any school utilizing it, Pekarek said although grant dollars don’t “take the place of a million dollars worth of state cuts,” they go a long way in filling temporary voids, like teaching supplies and technology standards.
“Think of it as a wishlist for teachers,” he said, adding grant requests for small amounts add up over time.
SAFE BASE Director Angela Henry, who attended Monday’s meeting to offer points of advice to inquiring teachers — SAFE BASE relies heavily on grant funds — agreed.
“It’s not going to be a one-shot thing,” she said. “(The money) is going to have to come from a variety of sources and it’s going to have to come in smaller amounts.”
The staff attending Monday’s meeting agreed to collectively pursue no less than $100,000 in grant funds to help pay for USD 257 “wishlists.”
“If we set goals, we have something to work toward,”
Pekarek said.
New to Iola, Pekarek said at his last gig as superintendent for Clifton-Clyde schools, Pekarek mandated each of his 35-person staff to pursue at least two grants per year. As a result, he said, USD 224 brought in more than $500,000 in his two years as district leader.
“Here, we have 43 people volunteering to do this so just think of the results we could see,” Pekarek said. A wind turbine, food compost tumblers and solar panels at Clifton-Clyde were purchased through state and federal grants.
Believing strongly in the benefits of a grant-writing capable staff, Pekarek reached out to other districts prior to Monday’s meeting.
“We want to work with the surrounding districts and see how we can help each other,” Pekarek said. “Grant writing is a good way to do that.”
Jeremy Boldra, principal at Marmaton Valley junior and senior high school, attended the grant writing session at Iola High School.
“Sometimes (Marmaton Valley’s) needs are maybe even greater (than USD 257) so this got me in touch with some resources and gave me some ideas,” he said. “Any way that we can help kids and help communities by collaborating and making things better, I think we should.”
The grant writing cadre, which will meet every fourth Wednesday at 2:40 p.m. in the Iola High School lecture hall, will feature guest speakers showcasing past successes in grant writing.
The public is invited.
“If I could get 25 community members to be a part of our team, that would be a tremendous amount of help,” Pekarek said.
Grant writing emphasis for district staff
