District presentation details McKinney‑Vento services, closed‑closet distributions and community donations

District staff presented the McKinney‑Vento report for the 2024–25 school year and described how grant funding and community donations support a "closed closet" that provides clothing, shoes, toiletries and other essentials to students and families experiencing homelessness.

"Out of those 1,583 shoppers ... 8,875 clothing items were given to students and families," the presenter said, describing the previous year's documented distributions. The presenter reported 286 pairs of shoes were distributed and noted that, even though the district had 404 students identified in the program at one point, families used the closed closet multiple times (the presenter said 246 families used the service and 1,583 shoppers were served). Staff also said two washers and dryers were purchased to allow families to wash clothing onsite.

The closed closet is run largely by volunteers, is open monthly on Wednesdays and provides new socks, shoes and underwear each semester to McKinney‑Vento students in addition to gently used clothing and donated items. Staff said toiletries and school supplies were purchased with Title I or Title IX grant funds and community donations funded other items.

Board members asked whether services had increased year over year; the presenter said ARP grant funding (about $200,000 in a prior year) allowed purchases that expanded services. The presenter also emphasized that McKinney‑Vento eligibility includes students who lack their own residence or who are doubled up and that staff verify eligibility through school applications and phone follow‑ups.

The board thanked staff for the community outreach and volunteer coordination that keeps the program operating.