EDISON — The township’s school district has received several grants and donations for the upcoming school year.
School Business Administrator Dan Michaud relayed to the board at a meeting on July 29 that the Italian language program at J.P. Stevens High School and Edison High School will receive a $10,000 grant, which will be allocated for staff salaries.
Board President Gene Maeroff said this is the second consecutive year that the district received such a grant, and expressed that he and others are grateful for the funds.
The district received a donation of $1,494 that will go toward equipment in the science chemistry labs at J.P. Stevens.
The third grant of $52,490 was a surprise to the district. Michaud said the district applied for the state grant for improving achievement levels in English, language arts and mathematics for students with disabilities.
“They at first told us there was no money, and then we are told there was … money to fund for it,” he said, adding that the district found out about the grant on July 29.
Superintendent of Schools Richard O’Malley said the grant money will be focused on two subgroups — African-Americans and students with disabilities at John Adams Middle School.
The funds will provide professional development for the staff; technology to help student achievement; and a “period zero” before and after school for areas in which students need assistance.