04/07/08 - Lincoln School Receives Five Grants From 3M Foundation

Much discussion about school funding has taken place in recent years. Many proposals about equitable finance reforms have floated without any real progress. DeKalb District 428 educational leaders are not waiting for a solution to increase funding to come their way. Teachers and building principals are always looking for grants from organizations and foundations to supplement public funding sources.

Cristy Meyer, principal of Lincoln Elementary School, learned this week that the hard work of her teachers has paid off in a significant way. The 3M Foundation asked teachers to write grant requests to support math, science, and economic units of study. The foundation has informed the school the that five of the six grants, totaling $ 14,600 will be awarded to the school.

The grants include math enhancement materials, simple machine-building tools based on Lego toys, microscopes, including a digital teacher microscope that can be seen by the entire class, National Geographic reading materials leveled for reading ability, and energy manipulatives, such as switches and circuits.

“We are fortunate,” said Meyer, “to have a very dedicated and proactive staff that is willing to do what it takes to help all our students learn.” Becky McCabe, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction echoes Meyer and adds, “We have great classroom instructors in all our buildings who regularly go above and beyond to improve learning and raise student achievement.”

Voters overwhelmingly approved a construction referendum in February 2008 that will fund a new high school, new elementary school, and renovate three additional buildings. State law prohibits the use of such funds for teacher or staff salaries, classroom instruction, or operating expenses. “State law is very clear that instructional costs are separated from construction funding,” said Assistant Superintendent for Business and Finance, Andrea Gorla. “Since federal and state funding for operational expenses does not currently meet rising costs, we are always grateful to receive outside grant funding,” added Gorla.

# # #