Pleasanton schools to apply for ARPA grant

PLEASANTON – The Pleasanton USD 344 Board of Education last week approved plans to apply for $450,000 in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds. The funds would go toward the costs incurred in getting the STARS program (Southeast Technical Academy for Rural Students) off the ground, including building costs. The district only has a two-week window to apply for the grant.

Superintendent Travis Laver also reported that he was successful in securing e-rate funds for the STARS building that will be used to underwrite 90 percent of the cost of connecting the building to the Internet and other network costs except for cameras.

The school board hired Emma Laver and Darcy Workman to teach elementary school beginning next August. Dan Saulsberry ad Robert Nolan were hired to teach drivers education this summer, and Tony Bates was hired to be a track coach. Bates ran track in college.

Jennifer Lowe was hired to district clerk beginning July 1.