Grow 529 savings program reports strong first‑year participation; board receives update

A district‑partnered savings initiative called Grow — Generational Resources Opportunities for Well‑Being — has completed year one and the board received a progress update.

Clay Ramy of Tempest Realty Partners said the program automatically seeded $600 into participating students’ 529 accounts and offered a $300 incentive students could earn through reading, attendance and other engagement metrics. Ramy told the board the program used an opt‑out enrollment model and had 100 percent participation at Merl Taylor in its first year; the presentation listed 410 scholar accounts and 18 teacher accounts established and said scholars and teachers together earned more than $100,000 in incentives that were deposited to 529 accounts. Ramy reported a total investment for the year of about $362,000.

Ramy said partners for data and evaluation included the Clinton School, Brighter Futures and Economic Arkansas; the program will continue in year two with plans to maintain the seed for incoming kindergarteners and to create pathways for older students to continue earning incentives.

Board members asked questions about sustaining incentives and outreach; program staff said an on‑site ambassador and school partnerships drive family engagement and implementation.