District seeks volunteer grant writer

May 10, 2013

The money is there for the taking; the Old Rochester Regional Schools just need someone to apply for it.

At one time, the district employed a part-time grant writer, who searched and applied for additional money for supplies and programs.

On Thursday, the Joint School Committee advertised their need for a grant writer, willing to volunteer.

The request followed a report on total grants earned during the previous fiscal year.

Sippican School in Marion was awarded $210,927, Mattapoisett schools $391,431, Rochester Memorial $262,499 and Old Rochester Regional High School $599,922.

With so many available, administrators said having someone focused on grants the district is eligible for made sense.

“Having a grant writer would be an enormous asset to my office,” said Assistant Superintendent and Director of Curriculum and Instruction, Dr. Elise Frangos.

Generally, school administrators capture standard grants related to federal assistance and special education.

Frangos noted she has had success in applying for, and receiving, grants for professional development, but many more need to be vetted.

It’s possible, Chair Sharon Hartley said, that a staff member looking for experience might step forward to act as an administrative intern.

If that happens, Frangos said she would be happy to coach someone interested. The committee has supplemented classroom budgets when they approved teacher use the online charity DonorsChoose.org.

The site lets teachers request money for specific projects, field trips, or supplies, and has been successful in the district.

Money raised on the site for individual classrooms in the district has ranged from $400 to $1,500, Frangos said.