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Riverway plans to use the money to get a commercially licensed kitchen. Currently, it serves food but cannot cook in its kitchen.
Being able to prepare its own food would allow Riverway to make healthier meals, said director Laurie Krause. She said the school would work with a nutritionist once they begin preparing their own meals.
“We’re just thrilled,” she said.
Using the new funds, the school will also paint, install an air conditioner, and create a hybrid solar lighting system, among other projects, said administrative assistant Karen McKern.
Jamie Harper, who works at Riverway with students and teachers on school projects, said he hopes the new environment will help students learn better.
Riverway was one of 19 charter schools across the state receiving a total of $8.5 million in federal funding channeled through the Minnesota Department of Education.
At least 30 percent of the students in a school must be “economically disadvantaged” or “academically at-risk” for the school to qualify. The schools had to prove that building construction would improve students’ learning experiences.
