School Reaches Next Round In Grant Process
By Bill Vander Weele
Wolf Point Superintendent of Schools Dr. David Perkins announces that the school district has moved on to the next round in the Catalyze Challenge grant process. The recipients of the grant will receive between $400,000 to $1 million. If selected, Wolf Point will be the first Montana school district ever to earn the achievement.
Wolf Point is now one of 100 schools still being considered for the grant.
The Wolf Point Chamber of Commerce committed to submit a letter of support during its meeting last week.
“I see it as not just a school benefit, but a community and business benefit,” Perkins said to chamber directors.
The grant will provide funding so a school district could expand training in technical fields such as electrical, plumbing and possibly technology.
“That’s exciting,” Wolf Point Chamber of Commerce president Scott Keen said.
There will be four or five grants approved in the Catalyze Challenge. Final winners will be announced in early 2025. Since 2021, Catalyze has awarded more than $14 million to more than 60 organizations through national and regional challenges, with a positive impact on more than 65,000 learners. The Catalyze community works across the United States to plan, pilot and implement solutions that provide students with career-connected learning opportunities.
Perkins said the push now is to complete the main application by Dec. 1.
Earlier this fall, local school officials met with the National Indian Education and the College of Menominee Nation regarding the grant. Perkins said supporters for Wolf Point receiving the grant include the Fort Peck Community College president Craig Smith and the Montana Department of Labor and Industry.
