At a recent Moore County Board of Education meeting, the board approved a budget amendment to accept $199,000 in grant funding that district staff said will finance teletherapy services for students and construction of outdoor classrooms. The amendment moved funds into the health services and maintenance-of-plant lines to pay contracts and furniture.

The board’s operations director said the district received two TBA grants totaling $20,000 and a separate state grant of $179,000 to support teletherapy, which the district described as virtual therapy sessions with licensed practitioners. “They don't even have to leave the school building and can go right back in the school day,” the operations speaker said, describing the benefit to students.

Board members voted to adopt the amendment after a motion and second. The motion carried on a voice vote; the board recording shows a unanimous “aye.” The budget adjustment moved $199,000 into the lines identified by staff and shifted $16,000 into maintenance-of-plant to construct outdoor classrooms and $3,933 for outdoor-classroom furniture.

District staff also told the board the teletherapy work will continue through contract services, noting that virtual sessions permit students to receive psychiatric or therapeutic support during the school day without leaving campus.

Board members discussed the time-saving and continuity benefits of on-site virtual therapy and then approved the amendment. The board’s operations staff said grant funds and related purchases will be reflected in the next budget documents and reported back to the board.

The board will consider implementation details, vendor selection, and contract terms at follow-up staff briefings; no further formal action on contracts was recorded at this meeting.