Stanly County Schools has been awarded a $3.7 million, five-year grant from the Department of Education in a partnership with Montgomery County Schools.

The RESTORE grant will implement a multi-tiered system of support focusing on student behavior, academics and social-emotional learning. The funds will support five high-needs schools in each county.

Central Elementary, East Albemarle Elementary, Albemarle High, Albemarle Middle and Stanly Academy Learning Center are the five schools that will be served in Stanly.

The grant took effect at the beginning of the month and will run through 2024.

“Stanly County is lucky to have received yet another grant to help support our students,” Superintendent Dr. Jeff James said. “Educating the whole child is extremely important in today’s society.”

The school systems will hire a project director who will help lead the grant implementation and hire staff, along with one differentiation coordinator per county who will help with positive behavior interventions and supports (PBIS) implementation, and support the leadership at each school.

Licensed trauma counselors and student support specialists will also be hired for each county.

SCS will hire new staff to fill the positions along with those currently working for the school system.

“The playing field has changed so much (in schools) with the need for mental health services and social and emotional learning,” James said.

James said a child’s emotions have a huge effect on their academics. He said the state is behind on “getting up to speed on social-emotional learning with our teachers.”

The grant will help implement programs to encourage stronger relationships with an emphasis on reducing bullying and disruptive behaviors. It will also integrate programs to address opioid prevention.

Some of the programs include Too Good for Drug and Violence, Strengthening Families, Second Step and Check In-Check Out.