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California Schools Benefiting From Innovative Barona Education Grant Program

Posted on: Friday, 4 January 2008, 12:00 CST

The Barona Band of Mission Indians, California's Education Tribe, closed out 2007 by awarding four more education grants in the month of December from the Barona Education Grant Program. Since the program was launched in 2006, it has awarded a total of $300,000 to 60 schools statewide.

An innovative way to encourage and inspire students throughout the state, the Barona Education Grant program is the first of its kind in California, created and administered by an Indian Tribe. Each grant awarded by the Barona Education Grant Program is $5,000 and can be used to purchase much-needed supplies and materials that promote academic improvement, including books, computers, and other educational materials.

Applications for the grant may be submitted by a locally-elected state official on behalf of the school, or the school may submit the application directly with an endorsement letter by the State Legislator representing the area. The program has also been endorsed by Jack O'Connell, State Superintendent of Public Instruction. Noting the effectiveness of the program in helping to close gaps in education funding, O'Connell said, "The Barona Education Grant Program is truly an innovative way to help boost education in our state, and I would like to encourage others to take Barona's lead in offering new financial resources and creating more opportunities for the children of California."

"The Barona Band of Mission Indians is very proud to provide these schools with grants to purchase new supplies and materials," said Rhonda Welch-Scalco, chairwoman of Barona Band of Mission Indians. "Education is a top priority for our Tribe and it is our pleasure to provide students across the state with the best resources available to encourage their passion for learning and help them excel in school."

The most recent schools to receive the grant include Woodrow Wilson Elementary School in Daly City, Soledad Enrichment Action Charter Community High School and Bermudez Cal-SAFE High School in Los Angeles and Mission Union Elementary School in Soledad. From San Diego to Mt. Shasta, schools throughout the state have benefited from this innovative program, including:

Alameda County, 5 schools

San Bernardino County, 4 schools

Amador County, 1 school

San Diego County, 5 schools

El Dorado County, 1 school

San Mateo County, 1 school

Humboldt County, 1 school

Santa Barbara County, 6 schools

Imperial County, 2 schools

Santa Clara County, 2 schools

Kern County, 1 school

Siskiyou County, 1 school

Los Angeles County, 14 schools

Solano County, 1 school

Monterey County, 2 schools

Sonoma County, 2 schools

Orange County, 4 schools

Tehama County, 2 schools

Sacramento County, 3 schools

Ventura County, 2 schools

The goal of the Barona Education Grant Program is to create strong educational opportunities for the children of California building upon the success of the Barona Indian Charter School, one of the top ranked California elementary schools in test score achievement. All schools in California are eligible to apply for the Barona Education Grant Program, including charter, public and private schools. Schools can apply for $5,000 once per year, however, only one grant will be awarded per state legislative district.

Applications can be downloaded online from www.BaronaTribe.org/GrantForm.pdf and completed applications must be postmarked within 30 days of the written endorsement letter from the state legislator. Schools that receive a grant from the Barona Education Grant Program must submit an accountability report within one year of receiving the grant. The accountability report form can be downloaded online from www.BaronaTribe.org/AccountabilityForm.pdf.

About the Barona Band of Mission Indians: California's Education Tribe

The Barona Band of Mission Indians has lived on the Barona Indian Reservation in San Diego County since 1932. The Tribe once traveled across Southern California in tune with the seasons and what nature provided. It is now a sovereign government serving its Tribal members and their families and sharing with the San Diego region. For more information, visit www.barona-nsn.gov.

Source: Business Wire

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