BELOIT — The West Branch school district has been awarded several new grants to assist with program, equipment and staff expenses.

Superintendent Micki Egli Thursday night announced the district had been awarded four grants including: The United States Department of Agriculture Farm to School grant for $34,259 for the purchase of indoor hydroponic farms, with the intentions of all food grown within to be used in the cafeteria; The Equity for Each grant provides approximately $150,000 to help fund the district’s industrial maintenance program, including paying the salary for the program instructor and the purchase of necessary equipment such as welders and PPE; the Early Childhood Education Grant which awards $85,000 for the salary of the district’s pre-school staff; and the Stronger Connections Grant which awards $19,000 toward the salary of the district’s registered nurse.

In other business, the board approved several administrative and personal matters ahead of the impending start of the 2023-2024 school year.

Personnel items approved included: the hire of long-term certificated substitute Bridget Soliday; the hire of certificated substitute Darleen Martin; the hire of classified substitute Mindy Steer; athletic supplementals for cross country, girls volleyball, summer conditioning, and as-needed middle school roles; the hire of Rob Todor as a clock operator; the hire of Heidi Shreve as a middle school teacher under the Retire/Rehire provision of the negotiated agreement between the West Branch Board of Education and the West Branch Education Association; the hire of Marian Gainor, Mandy Zadigian, Stephanie Muhleman and Ginger Williamson as Title tutors at $30 per hour; the hire of Jennifer Woods as a tutor at a rate of $30; summer staff for the Pre-K and Elementary Early Learning Center transition programs; the hire of Assistant Athletic Director Ryan Wolf; the hire of on-board instructor Doug Schaeffer; the hire of paraprofessional/special education teacher’s aide Matthew Galchick; ticket takers and band volunteers unpaid medical leave through Sept. 19 for Ashley Larson; girls soccer supplementals the hire of certificated substitute Courtney Watt; and the hire of summer school paraprofessional/aide Kimberly Courtwright for the Pre-K and Elementary Early Learning Center transition program.

Administrative items approved included: a contract addendum for Treasurer Adam Fisher; professional days for the 2023-2024 school year; approval of substitute and miscellaneous rates for the 2023-2024 school year; educational requirements for the employment of substitute teachers for the 2023-2024 school year; the adoption of NEOLA policies; the replacement of the varsity soccer dugout that was damaged during the spring due to high winds, the cost of which will be covered by insurance and donations; an agreement with Education Alternatives for the 2023-2024 school year to provide transportation for students enrolled in their program; an agreement with Small Wonders Daycare & Learning Center LLC to lease space and operate a daycare at Knox Elementary from Aug. 1, 2023, through July 31, 2024; and a lease purchase agreement for the financing of construction costs, enlarging or other improvement, furnishing and equipping, lease and eventual acquisition of facilities and improvements to facilities for school district purposes, including acquisition of certain energy conservation measures and related improvements to school district facilities.

The meeting concluded with an executive session to discuss legal matters with no action to follow.

The district’s first day of school of the 2023-2024 school year will be Sept. 6, and the school board will meet next on Sept. 27.