Education
BY CHLOE YOUNG
Educators across dozens of campuses and programs in Leander ISD are headed into the 2024-25 school year with thousands of dollars in additional funding. The Leander Educational Excellence Foundation awarded $140,096 in 36 grants across 31 campuses and departments at the district’s convocation event Aug. 8. LEEF’s collaborative grants award educators up to $5,000 to fund programs or resources that create deeper learning experiences for students across grade levels or campuses, Executive Director Coleen Brighton said. The foundation’s grants play an important role in LISD by filling gaps left by a lack of state funding and improving teacher retention, Brighton said. LEEF awards over $140K in grants
The background
Grant-funded projects
LEEF was able to award grants beyond its $125,000 budget this year due to exceeding its revenue from the previous year; however, more funding is still needed to meet all applicants’ needs, Brighton said. The foundation received 78 grant applications totaling $280,000 heading into the 2024-25 school year. monthly donors, including nearly 180 community members and over 1,800 LISD staff members who contribute from their paychecks. LEEF is looking to increase the number of community The foundation’s collaborative grants are funded in part by its members who provide monthly donations—all of which go toward teacher grants, Brighton said. Visit the foundation’s website at www.leeftx.org to learn more and volunteer or donate.
Grant amount: $5,000 Where: Vista Ridge High School and
Reagan Elementary School What: a cafe that will serve as a vocational program for special education students to develop business skills and connect with peers
Grant amount: $1,293 Where: Running Brushy Middle School
What: supplies for students to crochet while discussing literature with residents of New Hope Manor, a skilled nursing facility in Cedar Park
Grant amount: $5,000 Where: all elementary campuses What: new supplies for theater arts programs
SOURCE: LEANDER EDUCATION EXCELLENCE FOUNDATION/COMMUNITY IMPACT
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