Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Tobacco Prevention topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Missoula schools apply for OPI tobacco-prevention grant to expand vaping and cessation programs
Summary
District staff sought board approval to submit an Office of Public Instruction tobacco-use prevention grant for middle- and high-school initiatives; trustees approved the application.
District administrators recommended and trustees approved submitting an application to the Office of Public Instruction for tobacco-use prevention funding to continue and expand vaping- and nicotine-related student programs.
Brooke Kreniger, the district’s health services coordinator, joined by Leah Fitch Brody from the county health department, described the second-year effort. Staff said the grant would fund elementary programming (amount for elementary efforts not specified in the packet discussion) and $6,400 earmarked for high-school efforts. Trustee Hayes moved to approve the application; Trustee Walsh seconded. The motion carried with all trustees present voting in favor.
Kreniger told the board the district used leftover funds this year to pre-purchase materials and that staffing constraints delayed the start of some activities. The district reported 24 students completed the in-depth program (an alternative to suspension for students caught vaping or using nicotine at school) and five students completed the Not On Tobacco cessation program. Staff also said they purchased two film memberships to support Screenagers screenings in middle and high schools and bought a Catch My Breath supplemental curriculum for middle-school vaping education.
Trustees asked about the number of students served and scheduling. Kreniger said one Screenagers screening is planned at Sentinel High School in October and that other schools may choose to screen the films. The administration recommended approving the grant application so the district can continue the programs pending award of funds.
