Eleven Tecumseh teachers will receive grants to assist with innovative projects for their classrooms that don’t fit in the district’s budget.

The annual Tecumseh Education Foundation’s $750 grants will support nine projects in Tecumseh Local Schools, allowing teachers to have access to technology, equipment and curriculum they might otherwise do without, said Kevin Harmon, foundation president.

“The mini-grants are something that the Tecumseh teachers can apply for it they want to do projects and stuff with the kids that’s outside the budget of the school program,” he said.

This year’s grants, which will be awarded in a ceremony at Tecumseh High School’s Feb. 5 basketball game, include funding an obstacle course for physical education teacher Kerry Cassell to keep kids moving during activities at Park Layne and Donnelsville elementary schools and access to a national handwriting curriculum for Ashlee Mischler at New Carlisle Elementary.

Tecumseh High School’s Laura Wright, a special education teacher, will use her mini-grant to purchase access to New-2-You, a weekly program centered around timely events that offers three levels of activities for students.

“It’s so multi-leveled that all the kids could find something they could succeed at,” Wright said.

After a series of failed levy attempts, Tecumseh faces state takeover without further budget cuts. The district has cut more than $7 million in the last decade.

The grants allow teachers to provide additional opportunities for kids despite those cuts, said Wright.

“It’s awesome,” she said. “There’s a lot of things that, with cuts … you can’t always afford for your classroom, and it’s a great way for teachers to get funding to help their kids along.”

Grants will also be awarded to Sam Lloyd of Tecumseh High; Deborah Heckman of New Carlisle Elementary; Steve Moran and Kristan Runyan of Tecumseh Middle School; Kathryn Randenburg, Beth Hetzel, Amy Hall and Susan Lucas of Park Layne.

The New Carlisle Rotary Club provides financial assistance for the program.

“What we like about the mini-grants is that they go directly to the teachers for equipment, for software that can be used year after year,” said club President Jason Hanrahan. “It’s not something that’s a one-time shot, the effects from that mini-grant will be felt for two generations.”