Bethany board approves opioid-abatement grant application with SNU partnership

The Bethany Public Schools Board approved applying for an opioid-abatement grant in partnership with Southern Nazarene University at its April meeting.

Administration described the grant as funding counseling services delivered in partnership with SNU’s renewed counseling program and said the application requires the board to confirm district commitment to the services in order for the grantor to consider the application. The superintendent told the board the amount was modest relative to larger grants — ‘‘we're not talking about $100,000. I think it's around $20,000’’ — and that the funds would support counseling for students with addiction-related issues, including vaping and other substances.

Board members approved the application on a roll-call vote. The administration said the grant deadline required the item be placed on the agenda and that a more detailed grant packet was available for review. The motion approved submission of the application and district commitment to provide the described services if the grant is awarded.

The board did not adopt any binding multi-year expenditure at the meeting; award, final budget details and program implementation steps will depend on grant approval and subsequent agreements with SNU.