A $274,000 dollar grant will help the Sedalia School District continue to provide support for students in the district displaced by Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine.

At Monday night’s school board meeting, the board voted to accept the federal grant managed by the Missouri Office of Refugee Administration. Superintendent Dr Todd Fraley says the need has grown over the past two years.

Board documents show that 79 students would be supported by this year’s grant. Funds will go toward providing specialized services helping students learn English and helping their families navigate the education system.

Also at Monday night’s meeting, the school board set the district’s tuition rate at $11,540.87, and approve a change order to purchase equipment to maintain the turf that crews will soon install at the district’s athletic complex. Board members also viewed a pitch from Gift Of Life KC to make available a 30-minute video session for high school students about becoming an organ donor, and approved an agreement to bring back the district’s ACT testing program for juniors.

The board also recognized Smith-Cotton High School students Addison Lyles and Bailee Spencer for their participation in Girls State this summer, as well as seven students for earning the state’s Seal of Biliteracy. The Sedalia School Board will next gather August 26th for their monthly meeting and annual tax rate hearing.