Foundation announces grant awards

April 25 school board meeting

by Chris Studor

Students in the Highland Local School District will be afforded enriched educational opportunities through new and continued grants awarded by the Highland Foundation.

Executive Director Theresa Wright said grants for the upcoming school year total more than $30,000. Included is a a grant for an artist-in-residency workshop with an upcoming performance on May 12 of a composition written exclusively for Highland by Artist-in-Residence Tracy Silverlman. Another $1,000 scholarship awarded to a 2023 graduate given in the honor of the Hornet Dash Alumni Team.

Spring grant awards, totaling $30,966 are as follows: High School Robotics Club, $4,700 for Swerve Wheel Modules used in competition; Highland STEM Club, $1,400 for technology equipment to help students explore careers in the sciences; Highland Buzz Network, $5,252 for video/audio media projects highlighting achievements of students and staff and audience; Highland Buzz Junior, $1,500 to start a news broadcast at Sharon Elementary; Art as Therapy, $1,614 to provide students with socio-emotional learning opportunities; College Now of Greater Cleveland, $6,750 to provide guidance to students and parents in obtaining financial aid and counseling and scholarship service for higher education; and Highland Intercultural Program, $9,750 to help students share other cultures through travel exchanges, field trips and academic programs.

Sexual battery allegations made

In other board business, board members headed into executive session to discuss the sale of property and to consider the employment, dismissal and discipline of a public employee.

According to a news release from the Medina County Sheriff’s Office, Highland High School English teacher Kyle Brooks has been charged with sexual battery and is currently in custody at the Medina County Jail.

Superintendent Catherine Aukerman sent a letter to district families stating that Brooks has been suspended from all duties and responsibilities in the district in accordance with state law pending the outcome of the investigation.

“The board is making no further comments on the matter at this time,” Aukerman said. ∞