Dora, Gainesville Schools awarded pre-k grants

The Gainesville and Dora school districts were each awarded grants that will help fund the two school districts’ preschool programs.

The funds are being made through the Missouri Quality Pre-Kindergarten Grant program.

“Preschool is not fully funded through the state funding formula as the other K-12 grade levels are. Our district has always supported the importance of establishing a firm foundation at the pre-k level, finding alternative sources to fund the preschool program,” said Gainesville preschool teacher and coordinator Brandi Miller. “In 2018, due to a change in the DESE formula, our preschool began receiving a portion of state funding. Our school utilized these funds along with other resources, to help expand our numbers to what they are today.

“The...grant offers up to $120,000 possible for our preschool. The exact amount rewarded is part of a formula and may vary each year. The money received will help bridge that funding gap for our preschool. The money is earmarked for preschool use. It can help provide salaries and benefits, building repairs or improvements, instructional enhancements and manipulative or other preschool needs. This is the first year this grant has been available. We are looking forward to being a part of this process and excited about the benefits it has to offer.”

Dora superintendent Allen Woods said their district is also thrilled to have been chosen as a recipient of the new grant. “We were awarded $107,000 for our pre-k this year. It funds our pre-k classes. It’s been a fantastic couple of weeks around here with those two grants,” Woods said, referring to the pre-k funding and another $50,000 the district received for school safety improvements.