Fulton, Southern Boone among area schools to receive $10,000 grants for teacher recruitment

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education on Monday announced its first “Grown Your Own” grants aimed at recruiting teachers to area schools, according to a DESE press release.

There were 125 local education agencies awards were awarded one-time $10,000 grants, according to the release. DESE set around $2.5 million in its budget for the program.

Some Mid-Missouri schools that took home grants included Fulton, Southern Boone, Harrisburg R-8, Chillicothe R-2, the Eldon School District, North Callaway, South Callaway, Tipton, School of the Osage, Moberly School District 81, New Franklin R-1, Marshall Public Schools, Macon County R-4 and Maries County R-2.

Schools applied to DESE through a grant application. Funds must be obligated and reimbursement requested by May 31, 2024, the release states.

The release also stated that funding was also given to 15 educator preparation programs at colleges in the state. Several institutions were awarded $70,000, according to DESE’s website, including Mid-Missouri schools such as: The University of Missouri, Central Methodist University, Columbia College, University of Central Missouri and Westminster College.

Two-year colleges were also given $45,000. Ozarks Technical Community College was a recipient in Mid-Missouri.