AASA Awards Mini-Grants to School Districts Across the Nation

This year, $108,000 in funds have been distributed to 35 school districts across the country and have been used for everything from urgent everyday necessities to disaster relief. As a continuation of AASA’s Live Well. Lead Well. initiative, AASA is providing these funds to districts for assistance with promoting healthy students, healthy staff and/or healthy buildings. In addition, funds are also being provided to districts impacted by 2022 natural disasters. 

“AASA wants to help. As the nation’s premier organization serving public school districts and school district leadership, a major part of what we stand for is to help school districts, especially those who need our help the most,” said Daniel A. Domenech, executive director, AASA. “We thank Sourcewell for making this relief effort possible. This partnership speaks to the unparalleled commitment being made to school districts nationwide.”  

“Our mission at Sourcewell is to be a source multiplier. This is an opportunity where we can work with AASA and school districts to make a real difference with students, families, and the communities in which these families live,” said Chad Coauette, CEO and executive director, Sourcewell. “We are so proud of the longstanding relationship we have with AASA. Through this relationship, we are grateful to play a small role in helping to establish stability on behalf of the honorees, especially in the uncertain times we’re in.”  

For 2023, the following school districts were chosen to receive the AASA/Sourcewell Helping Kids Mini-Grants.   

Adams 12 Five Star Schools 

Thornton, Colo.  

Superintendent: Chris Gdowski  

Abington School District   

Abington, Pa.   

Superintendent: Jeffrey Fecher 

Bozrah School District / Fields Memorial School  

Bozrah, Conn.  

Superintendent: Denise Grant  

Brush School District RE – 2J 

Brush, Colo.  

Superintendent: William Wilson  

Colleton County School District  

Walterboro, S.C.  

Superintendent: Vallerie Cave 

Dallas School District 2  

Dallas, Ore.  

Superintendent: Steve Spencer 

Glens Falls Common School District  

Glens Falls, N.Y. 

Superintendent: Brian George 

Highlands School District  

Natrona Heights, Pa.  

Superintendent: Monique Mawhinney 

Intermediate District 287 

Plymouth, Minn.  

Superintendent: Marcy Doud 

Kuspuk School District 

Aniak, Alaska 

Superintendent: Madeline Aguillard  

Savannah-Chatham County Public Schools 

Savannah, Ga.  

Superintendent: Ann Levett 

School District of Mellen  

Mellen, Wis. 

Superintendent: Rhonda Elhorst-Friemoth 

Susquenita School District  

Duncannon, Pa.   

Superintendent: Jon-David Fox 

Washington Local Schools 

Toledo, Ohio 

Superintendent: Kadee Anstadt 

West Yellowstone School District  

West Yellowstone, Mont.  

Superintendent: Coul Hill  

Woodland Community Consolidated School District 50  

Gurnee, Ill. 

Superintendent: Robert Machak  

The following school districts were chosen to receive disaster relief funds through the program:  

Beaufort County Schools  

Washington, N.C.  

Superintendent: Matthew Cheeseman 

Brunswick County Schools 

Bolivia, N.C.  

Superintendent: Jerry Oates  

Carteret County Public Schools  

Beaufort, N.C.   

Superintendent: Richard Paylor  

Charlotte County Public Schools  

Port Charlotte, Fla.  

Superintendent: Steve Dionisio   

Collier County Public Schools  

Naples, Fla.  

Superintendent: Kamela Patton  

The School District of DeSoto County  

Arcadia, Fla.  

Superintendent: Bobby Bennett  

Flagler Schools  

Bunnell, Fla.  

Superintendent: Cathy Mittelstadt  

Georgetown County School District  

Georgetown, S.C.  

Superintendent: Keith Price  

Glades County School District  

Moore Haven, Fla.  

Superintendent: Beth Barfield  

Hardee County Schools  

Wauchula, Fla.   

Superintendent: Bob Shayman   

The School Board of Highlands County  

Sebring, Fla.  

Superintendent: Brenda Longshore  

Hillsborough County Public Schools  

Tampa, Fla.  

Superintendent: Addison Davis  

The School District of Lee County  

Ft. Myers, Fla.  

Superintendent: Christopher Bernier   

School District of Manatee County  

Bradenton, Fla.  

Superintendent: Cynthia Saunders  

Onslow County School District  

Jacksonville, N.C.  

Superintendent: Barry D. Collins  

The School District of Osceola County  

Kissimmee, Fla.  

Superintendent: Debra Pace  

Sarasota County Schools  

Sarasota, Fla.  

Superintendent: Brennan Asplen  

Volusia County School District  

Deland, Fla.  

Superintendent: Carmen Balgobin  

Ponce Education Region of the  

Puerto Rico Department of Education  

Ponce, Puerto Rico  

Superintendent: Roberto Rodriguez  

Since 2012, AASA and Sourcewell have worked together to create the mini-grant program. For additional questions, please contact Leigh Hines at leigh.hines@aasa.org. 

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About AASA 
AASA, The School AASA, The School Superintendents Association Association, founded in 1865, is the professional organization for more than 13,000 educational leaders in the United States and throughout the world. AASA’s mission is to support and develop effective school system leaders who are dedicated to equitable access for all students to the highest quality public education. For more information, visit www.aasa.org. 

About Sourcewell  
Sourcewell is government empowering k12 solutions since 1978. Use our cooperative purchasing program to save time and money buying supplies, equipment, furniture, and most other items schools need already on contract. Harness the power of 50,000 participating agencies in North America using hundreds of contracted suppliers. Tap into our K-12 technology experts to discover a people-centered approach to school technology–from the business office to the classroom. Fulfill your public service mission to your community by using Sourcewell – Your smart source to empower student success. For more information, visit https://www.sourcewell-mn.gov/.