Northwestern Local among 20 Ohio groups to get $200K state literacy grant

Linda Hall
·2 min read

Northwestern Local Schools Board of EducationMonday, Oct. 24, meeting

KEY ACTION The district was awarded a $200,000 literacy grant from the Ohio Department of Education.

DISCUSSION Superintendent Jeffrey Layton told the school board there has been "a flurry of grant-writing activity" in the district. The most recent grant awarded to Northwestern Local — the only area school district to receive it — is a $200,000 English literacy grant called Reaching All Students Through Language and Literacy.

Layton said it is designed to boost reading, writing and verbal skills. It will help support the efforts of literacy coaches and curriculum instructor Julie McCumber in classrooms at all grade levels in all content areas.

The grant was awarded to 20 organizations in Ohio to help with learning loss attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The district is also applying for a collaborative transportation grant and a grant to support the homeless population.

FOR YOUR INFO

  • Ohio School Boards Association regional representative Reno Contipelli recognized Northwestern school board President John Smith for winning an OSBA Aptitude Award.

  • Northwestern High School earned a Purple Star Award for its commitment to students and families associated with the U.S. military.

  • New Northwestern High School Principal Tyler Keener reported that in his third official week in the position, he is getting to know the students and "finding out what next steps to do at the high school to continue to grow." Layton said Keener understands the district culture. "I'm glad you want to be here, and I'm glad you're here," Layton told Keener.

  • State Rep. Scott Wiggam was a guest of the district to discuss issues facing it.

UP NEXT Meets at 6:30 p.m. on Nov. 21 in the high school library, 7473 Elyria Road, West Salem

This article originally appeared on The Daily Record: Northwestern Local gets $200K state literacy grant