Recently, the School Board of Highlands County, Florida received approval from officials for its Race to the Top grant, which will provide the school system with nearly $2.2 million.
The Race to the Top contest was created to provide competitive grants to schools and districts in order to encourage and reward states creating the conditions for better education.
The $2.2 million stimulus will be paid to the county during a four-year period. The money will reportedly fund different venues for improving the schools, including paying teachers higher salaries based upon student performance, the Florida Department of Education reports.
"This marks a resounding achievement by you and your excellent staff who I know worked around the clock to overcome tight time lines and enormous pressure to craft an education reform plan that fits the unique needs of [those] local communities," Florida's K-12 state chancellor Frances Haithcock said.
Recently, schools receiving grants have focused the funds on improving technology as well, incorporating smartboards, computers and classroom projectors.
In addition to Highlands County, the Race to the Top contest also awarded nearly $40 million to school systems in Ohio recently.
