Under the guidance and pen of Assistant Superintendent Dr. Staci Johnson, the Gasconade County R-2 School District will receive $1,222,967 in grants during the 2025-26 school year, down from $1,144,898.60 last year.

Johnson outlined the numbers in her Dec. 15 board report to share the influx of funding that the district has received from grants since the 2022-23 school year. She also provided a breakdown of the 2025-26 school year grants.

The district received:

• $400,000 through the 21st Century Community Learning Center grant to fund before and after-school programs over five years. This program is renewed annually.

• $300,000 was approved through MOQPK, a preschool salaries and supplies grant that is dependent on student enrollment.

• $17,122 was awarded from a non-playground scrap tire surface material grant to purchase picnic tables and benches for the Owensville Elementary School (OES).

• $295,317 was approved for the Screen Printing Career Technology Program at Owensville High School for room remodeling, equipment and salaries through the Limited Access Grant.

• $159,000 was awarded for new cameras and bus systems through COPS.

• $9,986 was awarded from EBRIP 24-15 for evidence-based reading instruction program reimbursement for LETRS stipends, subs, and materials.

• $24,420 was awarded for a partial salary for the RootEd Career Advisor.

The total number of funds brought into the district totals $1,222,967 from eight grants.

The district’s application was denied for two $75,000 Playground Scrap Tire Surface Material Grants, as it lost points for not having a Missouri vendor.

A third grant in the amount of $3,500 from AASA Mini-Grant was also denied, but no reason was listed.