Nebraska City announces federal literacy grant

NEBRASKA CITY – Nebraska City School Superintendent Mark Fritch expects a federal literacy grant to have a lasting impact on the school system.

In a press release, Fritch said the $518,000 grant will support the school’s five-year plan of professional coaching, personalized learning systems, high-quality instructional materials and strategies to reduce chronic absenteeism.

 He said the grant is not just about funding, but about focus. Kate Sherwin, director of curriculum, will lead implementation of the what Fritch calls a focused approach.

 

Here is the school's press release

 

Nebraska City Public School Press Release Tuesday, August 12, 2025

Nebraska City Public Schools Awarded Comprehensive Literacy State Development (CLSD) Grant Nebraska City Public Schools (NCPS) is proud to announce that it has been selected as a recipient of the Nebraska Department of Education’s Comprehensive Literacy State Development (CLSD) Grant.

NCPS will receive $518,000 over the first two years of the five-year federal grant to strengthen literacy education and improve outcomes for students in grades K–12.

The CLSD grant, funded by the U.S. Department of Education, is designed to advance literacy skills, including pre-literacy, reading, and writing, for all children from birth through grade 12.

Nebraska received approximately $55 million in September 2024 to be distributed through competitive subawards. NCPS is one of only 46 grant recipients statewide, and one of the top-scoring applicants in its tier.

This award is a tremendous opportunity to accelerate our literacy initiatives and provide our students with the tools they need to succeed. We are committed to using these funds to enhance instruction, expand access to high-quality learning materials, and strengthen supports for both students and teachers. These initiatives and tools would not be possible for NCPS without this grant.

NCPS’s five-year plan includes:

• K–5 and 6–12 Professional Coaching and Leadership Development
• Implementation of Personalized Learning Systems
• Adoption of High-Quality Instructional Materials
• District-Wide Strategies to Reduce Chronic Absenteeism

 Funding will be used strategically each year, with no more than $259,000 allocated annually, ensuring compliance with federal guidelines and sustainability of programs. The district’s investment will span comprehensive planning, professional development, instructional resources, and student support services.

The CLSD grant will run through September 30, 2029, with Year 1 funding supporting efforts from October 1, 2024, to September 30, 2025, and Year 2 from October 1, 2025, to September 30, 2026. Future funding is contingent on continued federal support. This grant is not just about funding, it’s about focus.

We will be able to build systems and capacity that will have a lasting impact on literacy achievement for years to come. Thank you to our staff and building leadership teams for their efforts in submitting this grant proposal. Special thanks to Mrs. Kate Sherwin, Director of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment, for her leadership throughout this application process.

 Mrs. Sherwin will now lead the implementation of this focused approach. Sincerely, Mark Fritch, Superintendent of Schools