District extends staff mind-body wellness groups after positive pilot funded by comprehensive school mental health grant

Lebanon Community School Corporation staff reported measurable declines in perceived stress after a spring pilot of an eight-week mind–body medicine skills group, and the district told the board it has been awarded a second year of a comprehensive school mental health grant to continue the work.

"We had 31 participants. We had a 95% attendance rate to the groups," said Deanna Nyebarger, student services coordinator, who presented the program spotlight May 20. Participants completed a 20-question perceived-stress survey before and after the series; Nyebarger reported the group’s average score dropped from 21.3 (moderate perceived stress) to 12.6 after the eight weeks.

Nyebarger said 27 of the 31 participants reported they were "extremely satisfied" and four were "very satisfied." The district offered four groups this spring — three in person and one virtual — and included staff from elementary, middle and high schools as well as administrators. District staff said teachers received a stipend for participation.

The administration told the board that the spring program was funded through a one-year comprehensive school mental health grant awarded last year and that the district successfully applied for year two of the grant. The program will be offered again in summer 2025 with plans to focus future groups on new teachers, instructional assistants and administrators.

Board members asked no substantive questions during the spotlight. The administration said research supports that teacher well-being affects retention and student outcomes and that the district will track continued outcomes as it expands the program.