ORIGINALLY WRITTEN STAFF
A coalition of five Marion County school districts, plus Communities In Schools of Marion County, has applied for a 21st Century Community Learning Center Grant.
In an attempt to increase the support given to children and their families in Marion County, the grant will provide additional after-school and summer programs similar to the art and music program now provided at Centre Elementary School or the sports and theater programs at Hillsboro schools.
The grant would also provide parenting support, summer education, recreation opportunities and tutoring as well.
Other non-profit organizations that are partners with CIS for the application are Big Brothers Big Sisters, Joyful Noise, Tabor College, Prairie View, Camp Wood, MCA, KSU/Marion County Extension, and Marion County Special Education.
Members of the grant-writing team were the school superintendents from the five county districts, plus Kimberlee Jost, Pat Wick, Jessica Gilbert, Regina Kimbrel, Angie Duerkson, Lonnie Isaac, Jerry Hinerman, Heath Marrs, Howard Keim, and Linda Ogden, team leader and CSI executive director.
The team was assisted through the Kansas Health Foundation by consultants Paul Longhofer and Larry Gwaltney.
According to Ogden, recipients will receive notification on May 31 and funding will begin July 1.
