Austin Public Schools could be getting a lot of help.

District officials are applying once again for an AmeriCorps Vista volunteer to work with the Early Childhood and Family Education program after good news from the Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation. SMIF recently received $260,000 in a grant to continue the AmeriCorps LEAP program in southern Minnesota.

“The future of our AmeriCorps program was uncertain this spring when a nationwide cutback in federal funding for AmeriCorps programs was announced,” said Tim Penny, SMIF President/CEO. “We are thrilled with this announcement. It means that AmeriCorps members will continue to serve in early childhood sites across our region — especially at a time when many of those same organizations have also experienced cuts in funding.”

Austin hopes to secure one of 20 full-time members who would work with at-risk students in literacy programs. Last year’s AmeriCorps Vista volunteer also coordinated the birth-to-2 program and worked with parents, according to Amy Baskin, director of community education.

“We’re hoping to hear back soon,” she said.

Full-time AmeriCorps members are required to serve 1,700 hours during their year of service. During their service term, members receive a modest living allowance, health insurance, student loan deferment, and training. After completing their year of service, they receive an education award that can be used to pay off student loans or finance college, graduate school, or vocational training.

Austin will also be hiring four math intervention specialists after district officials secured a new revenue stream from the state. The four specialists will work at each elementary school and Sumner will share a specialist with Woodson Kindergarten Center, according to Woodson Principal Jean McDermott.

“Four intervention teachers is what we can afford,” she said.

The four specialists will work with at-risk and underachieving students to bolster their math skills. District officials introduced reading intervention specialists five years ago, which work with students to improve reading scores.

Time, less stress and data from various assessments have shown reading intervention specialists are beneficial, according to McDermott. The reading specialists allow teachers to support a smaller number of students, which means each student gets more one-on-one time with instructors.

“It’s kind of a win-win,” McDermott said.

District officials are reviewing applications for the positions this week and hope to start interviews next week.