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Students ask Prosper ISD to add heifer (HEPA) program to expand scholarships and year‑round instruction
Summary
Two students, Caleb Brown and Evan Authore, asked the board to permit a heifer program (HEPA) in Prosper ISD’s agricultural program, saying it would increase scholarship opportunities and better align with existing breeding livestock on district property. They offered ideas to offset projected district costs with sponsorships and parent funding.
Two student FFA members told the board Feb. 26 they want Prosper ISD to add a heifer (HEPA) program to the district’s agricultural offerings to increase scholarship and leadership opportunities.
"A heifer is a two‑year program ... it's more cost effective because you're buying one animal," said Caleb Brown (Walnut Grove student), who described how catching a calf at the Fort Worth Stock Show can produce a $500 purchase certificate and lead to scholarship opportunities. Brown and fellow student Evan Authore (Prosper High School, FFA chapter secretary) said their teams already have breeding livestock for species other than cattle but lack a district program for heifers.
The students asked the board to consider operational concerns administrators raised previously—transportation to shows, staff time, and an estimated $10,000–$12,000 district cost—and proposed offsets including parent donations and sponsor support. Authore said the district is planning for two ag teachers per species next year, which he said could eliminate additional teacher‑absence concerns if staffing is allocated across steers and heifers.
The students also argued a heifer program produces longer-term student relationships with animals (show as a heifer year one and as cow/calf pair year two) and can open additional scholarship streams for future students.
The board did not take immediate action during the meeting; the students’ request was heard during the public‑comment period.
