ALPENA — Alpena -Montmorency-Alcona Educational Service District Superintendent Scott Reynolds updated the Board of Education about the Aspiring Educator Scholarship Fund on Thursday.

“We’ve got a team of staff working on developing criteria for the scholarship fund,” Reynolds said. “We’re excited and think it’s a great opportunity for us to emphasize the value of education and target the fact that we have a significant need, not just locally, but across the state.”

The AMA ESD is finalizing the criteria and application for the scholarship so they can communicate it out this spring so students can apply. Reynolds said the scholarship fund originated through dialogue between the administration and professional staff.

“The dialogue was done in a way so we could personally help,” he said. “It takes no funding from the ESD or the taxpayers, but rather from the staff ourselves and how we could give something back and support aspiring educators.”

The aspiring educators can be future teachers, school psychologists, or school social workers. Reynolds said the AMA ESD came up with the idea of staff members contributing $40 to the scholarship fund, which has raised $720 so far.

“They get to wear a pin and then twice a month, we try to advertise and promote the message,” Reynolds said. “We’re very excited and there’s a lot of enthusiasm with those that have participated.”

Reynolds said the AMA ESD is excited to explore the pool of high school candidates who apply and recognize them.

“We’re looking forward to seeing some future educators and giving them that award,” Reynolds said. “It’s a nice message to give back to the locals.”

In other business:

∫ Reynolds said the AMA ESD was awarded a grant to support literacy coaches within the local districts. Receiving the grant how expands literacy support to Atlanta Community Schools and Hillman Community Schools.

∫ The next AMA ESD board meeting is March 8 at 6 p.m.

Julie Goldberg can be reached via email at jgoldberg@thealpenanews.com or by phone at 358-5688.