$300,000 awarded to county schools

The Monroe County Community School Corporation was one of 53 organizations in Indiana to be awarded a 21st Century Community Learning Centers grant this year, according to a press release from the Indiana Department of Education.

Indiana Superintendent of Public Instruction Glenda Ritz announced the grants, which total to about $11.1 million. Awards ranged between $50,000 and $300,000.

The Monroe County Community School Corporation received $300,000 from the IDE.

The grants are intended to aid communities with high instances of poverty and low-performing schools, according to the release. They are targeted specifically at after-school programs.

“These groups work throughout the state to support student learning and development in communities affected by poverty,” said Ritz in the release. “I am honored to award these organizations which are working every day to strengthen our communities.”

Almost 80 organizations applied for grants from the 21st Century Community Learning Centers. The organizations awarded grants serve 184 after-school sites, according to the release.

The 21st Century Community Learning Centers program is authorized under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act and is federally funded.

M.K. Wildeman