Board reviews annual service‑learning and Healthy Behaviors grants; magnet school added to youth-volunteer program

District staff briefed the board on two annual grants that support student service learning and health programming.

The Rapides Foundation youth volunteer service-learning grant will continue and expand this year to include the district’s magnet school. Program coordinators said participating schools choose their service projects; past activities have included canned food drives, nursing-home visits, reading programs, assisting at local events and community service hours that can contribute to graduation endorsements. Coordinators said stipends for site coordinators increased this year (noted as “over $2,000”).

The Healthy Behaviors grant, in place since about 2008, funds multiple components across the district (K–12), including a vaping-prevention program, the CATCH physical-education curriculum and equipment purchases. Staff reported CATCH provided about $3,000 in equipment to every school last year and will supply replenishment funds and curriculum support this year. The total grant package supports several prevention and wellness programs across all schools.

Board members asked how grant-funded activities are selected and whether telehealth or other services could be funded; staff said the Healthy Behaviors grant is specific about allowable expenses and cannot be reallocated outside its listed uses. The board considered the grants for approval, but the transcript does not record a formal roll-call vote.