Antoine Lowell and staff updated the board on an esports matching grant program to expand the DeSoto Independent School District’s esports capacity. The EDC previously granted $30,000 and staff seek a $30,000 private match (for a $60,000 total) to add additional units and program capacity for high school (and middle school) teams.

Staff asked board members to provide sponsor leads or introductions (HR or special projects contacts at local corporations). Staff offered to provide suggested outreach language to facilitate warm introductions and said they would collect commitments in a Google sheet. The board asked staff to deliver sample language and a timeline; staff committed to provide outreach copy and to pursue leads so the match could be secured before the next school year, if possible.

No vote was taken; staff requested contacts and said they would follow up with written language and a target timeline.