HOB Elementary in line for grant

Delaware's share of a $36 million financial settlement could result in a $300,000 grant for Cape's H.O. Brittingham Elementary.

Attorney General Matt Denn recently announced a plan to distribute Delaware's share of the settlement, the result of a suit filed by Delaware and other states against major banks as a result of the 2008 economic recession.

Most of Delaware's $36 million share would go to targeted communities to improve housing and access to substance-abuse facilities under an initiative called Lifting Up Delaware's Communities.

“We believe that this ambitious investment in Delaware's economically impacted communities has the potential to transform parts of our state,” Denn wrote.

Denn said he intends to present his plan to the Joint Finance Committee in February; it must still receive legislative approval.

About $5 million would go to the elementary schools that have the highest percentage of low-income students. H.O. Brittingham is one of 16 schools that would receive funding; H.O. Brittingham is expected to receive a total of $300,000 over a three-year period.

Donna Kolakowski, supervisor of elementary education, said the money would pay for one full-time teacher over three years or it could be used for two paraeducators or a combination of other part-time help.

“Every little bit helps,” she said.

Board member Spencer Brittingham said the timing would be perfect because the district is about three years away from drawing new boundaries for its elementary schools. Although two district elementary schools lie a mere mile apart, H.O. Brittingham and Milton elementary schools have diametrically different student populations, which for years has been a source of contention. Brittingham has spearheaded attempts to balance demographics at the schools, but he said changes won't be made until a new elementary school opens on Route 24.

“Until then, things will stay intact,” Brittingham said.

Still, he said, the district welcomes extra money for H.O.Brittingham.

“All money is good money,” he said.

Because it serves a high percentage of low-income and minority students, H.O. Brittingham benefits from Title I money, special education and other grants. Specifically, Kolakowski said it is the only school that receives $7,600 for an after-school tutoring program, and it received $38,500 for two part-time instructors for the current year. It is also the only elementary school that receives money for a Read 180 program, and another $6,000 goes to parent involvement – nearly double the amount the other schools receive, Kolakowski said.

Brittingham said the board has not officially received word of Denn's plan, but there may be discussion at a future board meeting.

Besides the grant to the school, Denn's announcement cited no other specific Cape Region group that could receive funding. Denn is proposing $16 million to invest in people and neighborhoods, including substance abuse treatment, after-school programs, prison reentry programs and community policing.

Another $16 million would go to promote affordable housing and development in economically impacted areas, including money for foreclosure prevention, affordable housing and economic development in low-income areas.