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Tahlequah schools report new grants, outreach expansion; McKinney‑Vento caseload disclosed
Summary
District staff said they submitted a McKinney‑Vento grant application, learned they received an opioid abatement award for three years, and described expanded outreach-center services that serve hundreds of students and families.
District staff reported multiple grant developments and described expanded outreach services that support students experiencing housing instability and other needs.
Staff said they submitted a McKinney‑Vento grant application and expected notification of an award that could be about $60,000 per year for three years; they said the grant would be used solely for McKinney‑Vento students and to fund items such as school supplies, shoes, glasses and a portion of staff costs. Staff also said the district received an opioid abatement grant for the full amount for three years; that grant will fund one social worker position and part of a family and community engagement director to support drug‑abuse education and outreach.
Officials described other grant activity: a TSET Discovery grant (written by district staff) to expand Farm to School programming to additional sites, and a 21st‑Century grant application that remained under review. Staff said the district will pay for some pre‑K and several instructional coaches with federal Title I dollars and that they prioritize funding people over materials.
Outreach-center and service metrics were provided. Staff said the outreach center moved to a central location and added personnel, listing site-based staff assignments (for example, Abby Keyes assigned to Greenwood and Cherokee). The district reported distributing 9,863 snack packs last year (about 250 students per week) and 33,634 meals on Wednesdays during June and July. McKinney‑Vento data for 2024–25 were given: 215 students identified as McKinney‑Vento, including 19 in shelters, 137 doubled up (living with another family), 25 in substandard housing or campgrounds, 36 in hotels/motels, and 34 unaccompanied students; staff noted six of the unaccompanied students were in middle school or younger.
Staff emphasized partnerships with community groups — including Bright Futures, Boys & Girls Club and local service organizations — that supply backpacks, donated goods and volunteers. They said they rely on multiple funding sources and community donations to operate many outreach services and that they will continue to seek grants that replace resources rolling off.
The board received the report; no separate formal vote was taken on grants at this meeting.
