Altenburg schools win grant worth nearly $500,000

After years of trying, Altenburg Public Schools has been awarded a $497,000 21st Century Community Learning Centers grant for programs before and after school.

Superintendent Bleu Deckerd said the grant can be renewed after five years. The first three years, the amount awarded is $119,000; in year four it's $80,000; and year five, $60,000.

These are federal funds that come through the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

The district will be reimbursed for what it spends throughout year, but it has to spend all of it, Deckerd said.

The district has 117 students in grades prekindergarten through eight.

Deckerd said the money will be used for after-school activities and programs for adults, although ideas are still being brainstormed. He said the focus will be on tutoring and homework, but there also will be literacy and technology programs for adults and students, a variety of sports camps and clubs, and the 4-H program will be expanded, among other things.

The school library will be open until 7:30 p.m. Thursdays for literacy and computer programs for adults and students.

"In the past, we've done things like swimming lessons for our students and worked with the Missouri Department of Conservation on some outside classes. We're excited to be able to bring back a lot of stuff like that," Deckerd said.

A traveling choir also will be formed that will offer community performances during December, Deckerd said.

On any given day, the district's before- and after-school programs serve 50 to 70 youngsters. The funding will give children a safe place to be while waiting for their parents to pick them up after work.

"We're hoping with this grant we can up that number even more and get the majority of our students involved in some activity," Deckerd said.

rcampbell@semissourian.com

388-3639

Pertinent address: 8432 Main St. Altenburg, MO