Board hears pilot plan for free menstrual products; $37,000 grant to cover purchases

District staff presented a proposal to implement an Accessible Period Products pilot project funded by a $37,000 grant under Section 99g to purchase and distribute free menstrual hygiene products to eligible students.

Mitch Fowler, staff presenter, described the initiative as a collaboration between student services, the grants team and others, and said the grant "will be used exclusively for product purchases and distribution logistics." Fowler told the board the district will survey students in March to estimate demand and will run distribution in April using staff already connected to students through the community schools network.

Fowler said the survey will be a discrete Google form communicated to students and parents to indicate product type and quantity. "The way that we're assessing need is when we do a Google form survey," he said, citing another district's model (East Kentwood Public Schools) that the team is following.

Trustees asked about stigma and accessibility. A board member emphasized that availability does not always equal accessibility and sought specifics on distribution. Fowler responded that community schools staff familiar with students will serve as distribution points to reduce barriers.

Fowler stated the grant total: "$37,000, which we're asking for your approval, that will be used exclusively for product purchases and distribution logistics." The transcript records discussion and clarifying questions but no recorded motion or vote to accept the grant in the provided audio.

If the board advances the item to action, staff said they will use the March survey results to plan purchasing and distribution logistics.