LEONARDTOWN, MD – The Commissioner of St. Mary’s County approved requests from the Board of Education for three grants totaling $1,572,159 million during their Aug. 25 Meeting.
The Commissioners approved three grants to provide funding for an infant and toddlers’ program, iPads and Otterboxes for the Judy Center and Early Childhood Education Classrooms, and a Coronavirus Relief Funds Tutoring Grant.
The Blueprint for Maryland’s Future grant of $35, 876 will support county infant and toddlers programs by providing a contracted therapist to support the implementation of the Primary Service Provider Model standards.
The Judy Center Early Learning Hub Grants of $160,000 will go toward the purchase of 160 iPads and protective Otterbox cases for four half-day, pre-K classes at George Washington Carver and Green Holly schools. The technology will support remote instruction and Judy Center family engagement activities. Funds will also provide four temporary hourly aides when students return to the buildings.
CARES Act funding of $1,376,286 for the Coronavirus Relief Funds Tutoring Grant was approved and will give county students assistance with distance learning challenges. Funds are for Schoology, Google Meets, Zoom education, Special Education tutoring, Fundation kits for K-5th grade, and multiple other virtual learning tools and services.
The Commissioners also approved a budget amendment to shift $500,000 from Food Services Fixed Charges to Unrestricted Funds to cover the costs of the 2020-2021 school year Grab & Go Meal Service.
The next scheduled meeting of the Commissioners of St. Mary’s County is Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2020. Commissioner agendas can be found on the county website each Friday before the Commissioner Meeting.
Commissioner Meetings are seen live Tuesday mornings on SMCG Channel 95 or as a replay Friday nights at 6:30 p.m. On-demand viewing available on St. Mary’s County Government YouTube Channel.