Education foundation reports grants, pilots classroom supports

Don Nester, representing the county education foundation, presented the foundation's recent activities to the board. He said the foundation helped sponsor the academic awards banquet for the top 10 percent of the high school graduating class and that the event was well received by teachers and students.

Nester described several classroom-level supports the foundation is funding: a teacher at Union Elementary, Terry Burch, requested wall maps and the foundation is paying half the cost; the foundation also approved a pilot of five color-coded keypads intended to help students who may be dyslexic or who need keyboarding support. He said the foundation will evaluate the keypad pilot before expanding the program to additional schools.

Nester said the foundation is also exploring partnerships around STEAM programming and working with band leadership at the high school to support music programs. He closed by thanking district staff for collaboration and noting that the superintendent will serve as the primary point of contact for follow-up on delegation requests.

The board noted delegations are heard without board discussion during the presentation period; the superintendent will follow up on requests that require action or additional information.