Yvette Jones, chair of the Education Foundation of Putnam County, and executive director Kathleen Holznick presented a check and explained an FPL Empowering STEM grant to the school board on Nov. 4.

"This particular grant is gonna be focusing on STEM at our, with our smaller kids," Holznick said, describing the foundation’s priorities of STEM and career-technical education. Holznick told the board that the grant is usually $10,000 but was reduced this year and awarded at $7,183.04.

Presenters said the foundation and its partners view STEM and career-technical education as connected to broader district goals, including improved third-grade reading outcomes and strengthened local workforce pathways. No district action was required; the foundation returned to the board to present the award and to describe program uses.