The Warren County School District was not successful in securing grant funding for its elementary after-school and summer programming.

And Superintendent Gary Weber views the lack of award as – at least in part – an urban vs. rural issue.

According to a statement from the district, funding for this summer’s 21st Century Program for K-5 students, was previously funded by the Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers grant.

Funding for the summer, per the District, is “not currently available.”

Weber told the school board Monday night that the lack of a grant award leaves “all after-school for elementary and summer” not funded, as well as the portion of the funding that covered the costs to administer the programs.

While an appeal of the grand denial might be possible, Weber said the district is “reviewing what we possibly have in ESSER to support the summer programming to start with” but acknowledged that, going forward, there might not be any recourse for the district.

“By early May we need to make some decisions for summer school,” he said.

Advocacy efforts will include, Weber said, crafting a letter to local state representatives as well as raising the issue at an upcoming rural schools conference.

“Of the 52 programs that were awarded money, only nine are north of route 80,” he said. “The money predominantly went to urban areas.”

He detailed awards that included multiple awards to Allentown, Mercyhurst and a martial arts academy in Philadelphia

“It’s very frustrating to see the rural areas not get renewed,” he said. “I think it’s been a really good program for us. We’re in the process of reviewing it to see if we can do anything.”