The Henry County School Board received an overview of federal grant funding for the upcoming school year during its June 16 meeting.
Director of Elementary Education Kim Foley said the division is applying for several federal grants, including Title I through Title IV funding, to support academic programs, staffing, professional development and student services.
The largest request is for approximately $3.2 million through Title I, Part A, which provides supplemental funding to school divisions with high numbers or percentages of students from low-income households.
The main focus is children receiving what they need for academic success, Foley said.
Part of the Title I Part A budget includes the salaries and benefits of three reading specialists, nine instructional support specialists, and 22 instructional paraprofessionals and four behavior intervention technicians.
Foley said the grant funds also go towards a portion of clerical staff salary and benefits, pre-k instructional materials, Zaner Bloser consumable materials, Standards of Learning (SOL) coach books and online programs, behavior intervention support professional development, and other materials.
“We have also set asides for parent involvement that each school receives for parent involvement in their buildings as well as at the division level. Then, for our homeless set asides for any of our families that fall into that category,” she said.
Foley said the division also is seeking $408,506 through Title II, which supports efforts to recruit and retain qualified teachers, principals and assistant principals while providing professional development opportunities.
“This does provide supplemental funding to increase and retain our number of qualified teachers and the number of qualified principals and assistant principals. It does support professional development to increase the effectiveness of our teachers and principals and to improve academic achievement for students,” she said.
Foley added the grant also provides professional development opportunities for teachers, administrators, and paraprofessionals, tuition reimbursement for teachers completing coursework necessary for certification, recertification, or obtaining licenses, professional development books and resources, and other resources.
Foley said the school system applied for $59,200.40 in Title III funds to provide supplemental services that improve the English language proficiency and academic achievement of English Language Learners (ELLs).
“It includes equipping the ELL’s subscription, the Elevation Strategies subscription, the Flashlight 360 subscription, and the Summit K-12 subscription,” Foley said.
The division has applied for $59,200 through Title III to support English Language Learners. The funding would be used for instructional programs and subscriptions designed to improve English proficiency and academic achievement.
“It includes equipping the ELL’s subscription, the Elevation Strategies subscription, the Flashlight 360 subscription, and the Summit K-12 subscription,” Foley said.
In addition, the school system is seeking about $178,000 through Title IV, Part A, which supports student achievement, school safety and technology initiatives.
“This provides supplemental funds for programs and activities to improve student academic achievement by providing student access to a well-rounded education, a safe and healthy environment in which to learn, and technology that improves digital literacy,” she said.
Foley said the goals include increasing the graduation rates, reducing chronic absenteeism, and providing a safe and healthy environment.
Funds will be used for providing upgrades to school security cameras, sending division employees to the Virginia Society for Technology in Education Conference, Virginia Association of Science Teachers (VAST) conference registration, lodging, and travel expenses, and more.
In other matters, the board:
•Recognized Student School Board Representative Bryson Bateman for his service.
•Heard Ridgeway Mayor Craig O’Der present the William Crosby Hairston Award to Drewry Mason Elementary School teacher Amber Adkins, Laurel Park Middle School teacher Melissa Bowers and Magna Vista High School teacher Crystal Lane.
•Reviewed proposed policy changes that will return to the board for approval after review.
•Approved the consent agenda.
•Approved renewal of JAMF Pro software licenses at an estimated cost of $130,000.
•Approved sound, video and lighting upgrades at the auditoriums of Bassett and Magna Vista high schools and Drewry Mason Elementary School at an estimated cost of $201,000.
•Awarded a contract for cafeteria dairy supplies to DFA Dairy Brands Fluid LLC, doing business as PET Dairy, for the 2026-27 school year. The estimated cost is $320,000.
•Approved allocating $250,000 in fiscal year-end funds to the division’s Other Post-Employment Benefits Plan.
•Approved payment of extended payroll and other identified obligations totaling $5.29 million using fiscal year 2026 funds.
•Approved an agreement with Public Consulting Group for mathematics instructional support and professional learning services during the 2026-27 school year at an estimated cost of $198,815, funded through Title II.
•Approved Diligent Community with the livestream add-on for meeting broadcasts.
•Awarded a contract to Stage Sound Inc. for auditorium curtain and rigging upgrades at Bassett High School, Magna Vista High School, Fieldale-Collinsville Middle School and Laurel Park Middle School at an estimated cost of $189,982.
•Heard the superintendent’s report and committee reports.
•Approved the personnel report and addendum.
•Approved a special placement request.
•Recognized student-athletes. (See related story School board honors athletes, student achievements)
