MADRID - the Madrid-Waddington Central School District is in the running for two grants totaling up to $50,000.

The board announced on Monday it was a candidate for two educational grants: a $25,000 Wood Foundation’s Literacy Grant and a $10,000 or $25,000 Monsanto Grant through America’s Farmers Grow Rural Education Program.

The $25,000 grant funded through the Charles R. Wood Foundation and St. Lawrence University will be allocated to fund schools and education centers aimed at providing early literacy initiatives.

Madrid-Waddington is the latest school to be offered an allocation of funds along with Massena’s Jefferson Elementary and Hermon DeKalb Central School.

“We don’t know exactly what we will do with the money, as we are still in the application phase, but its safe to say, as a district, we’re on board,” elementary school Principal Molly A. Pressey said.

Ms. Pressey said money would most likely be allocated to Madrid-Waddington to fund new library books and one-on-one tutors for the students.

“There will be a committee meeting in May to see what each districts needs are and how we would like to spend the money,” she said.

The school is also in the running for a grant through America’s Farmers Grow Rural Education, a program sponsored by the Monsanto Fund and aimed at enhancing rural education through the subject areas of math and/ or science.

According to Superintendent Lynn M. Roy, two area-farmers nominated the district on April 15. Final applicants will be chosen on April 30, and recipients will be chosen in late August.

If the school is chosen, Ms. Roy said the board will be soliciting ideas for the grant monies from the district. So far, solar panels designed by students, an iPad station with math and science applications and a school Environmental Club have been suggested.

“Whatever we decide to do, we’re looking at putting these contributions toward long-term impacts, not one-time commitments,” according to Ms. Roy.

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