DAPHNE, Ala.— Supporters of a $100,000 funding request for Daphne schools filled council chambers Monday to stand behind several education programs sought by SEEDS (Supporting Education Enrichment in Daphne’s Schools).

That request will include funding for the following three programs that SEEDS hopes to implement and support:

*$34,000 for establishment of foreign language studies for K-6 grades

*$13,000 for Hobson’s Naviance College and Career readiness platform

*$52,700 for 135 iPads for grades K-6.

Daphne Elementary School Principal Jonathan Ellis spoke at the July 15 meeting, telling the council that through this program they hope to have every Daphne High School student graduate fluent in a foreign language.

“I personally give dozens of tours every year to parents moving to our area,” Ellis said. “Inevitably when I am touring a family through the school, the question comes up about foreign language. Parents want their children to have the opportunity to learn about foreign culture and confidently speak in a foreign tongue.”

Ellis said that the money will be used to purchase the language learning software Rosetta Stone.

SEEDS also hopes to purchase 135 iPads for K-6 grade classrooms and to fund a college preparedness program called Hobson’s Naviance College and Career readiness platform.

“These projects are going to make our Daphne graduates ahead of the game,” W.J. Carroll Intermediate Principal Dana Bottoms said. “Technology is everywhere. We were happy for the 'penny tax' but that left us at status quo. We need your help to move past that.”

SEEDS is an independent, nonprofit organization that seeks to provide enrichment opportunities in Daphne schools.

“We will need this year to look at more long-term funding solutions,” Ellis told the council.

In Fairhope, the council gave each of its five schools $70,000 to implement digital programs such as the purchase of iPads. Each principal was asked to come up with an individual plan for their school.

Earlier this year, Daphne gave $35,000 to the DHS band to help with costs related to that program.

The SEEDS funding request will be voted on at the next council meeting on Monday, August 5, at 6:30 p.m.