St. Cloud schools report 1,073 students identified as homeless; liaison describes services under McKinney‑Vento

St. Cloud Public School District staff told the School Board on May 21 that 1,073 students were identified as experiencing homelessness and described the district’s intake, transportation and wraparound supports under the McKinney‑Vento framework.

Kim Braxton, family advocate and intake coordinator for transitional services, said the liaison role connects students and families with school and community partners to secure “essential educational resources and support services.” She told the board the intake process covers “school placement, transportation arrangement, food, physical needs, academic needs and MARS,” and that the district uses those data to coordinate services.

The nut graf: the district presented operational details the board said matter because housing instability disrupts students’ access to education. Board members framed the report as central to the district’s stated mission to provide a “safe and caring climate” and to the board’s recent discussions about basic needs and equity.

Braxton said the district’s count — 1,073 students in a…