CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. - A $4.5 million grant has been awarded to school districts in Kentucky and Tennessee near Fort Campbell to help students in military families.
School administrators made the announcement Monday in Clarksville, Tenn. Media reported the Department of Defense Education Activity grant will be split between the Clarksville-Montgomery County school district and the Christian County school district in Kentucky.
The money will go toward services and programs that will focus on aiding families to help students succeed in school. For instance, officials from both district said they plan to hire liaisons to help parents connect with schools and become more involved.
Students from military families make up more than 25 percent of the population at Clarksville-Montgomery schools while about 16 percent of students at Christian County schools come from military families.
"We are excited to collaborate with Montgomery County and share a unique experience of addressing the needs of military families between the two counties and two states," said Mary Ann Gemmill, Christian County Public Schools superintendent.
"It will really connect parents to our schools," said B.J. Worthington, director of Clarksville-Montgomery County schools. "We know parent involvement makes a significant impact on student academics. By providing more opportunities for parents to connect to schools, we are supporting the achievement of students."