MANKATO — The Minnesota Department of Education has awarded the Mankato school district the Closing Educational Opportunities Gaps Grant, according to a district news release.
The district received $500,000, with half being for fiscal year 2025 and the other half for fiscal year 2026.
The funding will support initiatives including after-school programs, mental health services, family engagement activities and enhanced academic support. Key aspects will focus on extended learning opportunities such as expanding in-school hands-on and experiential learning experiences, after-school programs, training programs and extracurricular activities.
Funding also will help enhance access to counseling and mental health resources and wellness support services and develop initiatives to strengthen connections between schools and families.