Santee Receives Part of $20 Million in Military School Grants

Santee and Lemon Grove schools are beneficiaries of a portion of $20 million in federal grants offered to public schools across the country to aid children from military families.

The San Diego region has the only three recipients in the state and takes up a sizable share of the overall spending, more than $3.2 million. 

The grants have been split among three districts, with San Diego Unified getting the bulk of the local awards, at nearly $2.5 million.

Santee received $405,000 to a fund a project with goals to, according to a Defense Department news release: 

• Decrease discipline referrals
• Increase parent participation in school programs
• Adding training, counseling and participation opportunities and resources for families. 

Cathy Pierce, the superintendent of the Santee School District, told EdSource.org that the money would allow officials to add counselors at two city campuses.

Lemon Grove received $362,000 for a math- and science-focused program for middle school students. It aims, according to the news release, to draw in parents while adding more technological tools to instruction.

Ernie Anastos, superintendent of the Lemon Grove School District, told EdSource.org “This will allow us to provide a one-to-one environment with small laptops.” 

Fifteen districts nationally received the grants, administered by the Defense Department's Education Activity office. The program has issued more than $220 million in grants since 2009.

For examples of some of the challenges facing military students, see the video above, depicting a counseling program tailored for them.