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Parent urges district action on student mental health; highlights student-led "Feeling Our Future" and Hoke County High food pantry
Summary
Tamara Sanders used public comment to urge the board to treat youth mental health as a district concern and described a student-led initiative, Feeling Our Future, that will distribute food bags at Hoke County High School and a district turkey giveaway planned for Nov. 20.
Tamara Sanders spoke during the public comment period on Nov. 8 and urged the Hoke County Schools board to make youth mental health an explicit district concern and to communicate steps the district is taking to address it.
"What I'm here tonight to speak on...is mental health awareness," Sanders said. "I understand...the school board is not responsible for every single issue...but because it's here...I'm just wanting to put it on the table and see what the school board have in place or we're working on something to be put in place, to combat the issues, to help deal with mental issues and concerns for the youth."
Sanders also described a student‑led initiative, "Feeling Our Future," launched by her son to build partnerships with community and businesses to address food insecurity. She said Hoke County High School has launched a food pantry and that, beginning the next day, the initiative would present food bags to students at car‑rider and bus lines.
Board response: The chair thanked Sanders and acknowledged the community work. Sanders was given the standard three-minute public comment period and provided contactable information for the board to follow up.
What was not decided: The board did not adopt new policy or a budget allocation on mental health at the Nov. 8 meeting.
