Kenosha School District OKs $24,500 Head Start nutrition grant application

The Kenosha School District board on a special-call vote authorized staff to submit a one-time $24,500 Head Start supplemental grant application aimed at strengthening nutrition and promoting daily physical activity for children enrolled in the district's Head Start program.

Rhonda, a Head Start program staff member, told the board the request is for the 2025–26 school year and is intended to expand access to fresh fruit, vegetables and higher-protein snack options while also funding small, energy-efficient refrigerators to store perishable items near classrooms. "So we're asking for a onetime supplemental funding of $24,500, for our coming school year, this 2526 school year," she said. She described about $6,000 of the request for refrigerators and roughly $3,500 for new foods to broaden children's palates, and also said the grant would pay for soft-surface indoor exercise or sensory equipment for sites that lack safe indoor play space.

Board members asked how the program could sustain new offerings after the one-time grant. Mr. Bridal asked about long-term sustainability and whether future funding rounds or other sources could continue the work. Rhonda said refrigeration would let the program use existing purchasing channels to order perishable items and that staff were pursuing partnerships with local food banks and community organizations to support distribution and donations. "We could become a food distribution center for the community, not just Head Start, but the whole community, say, once a month if we have the the refrigeration," she said.

Members also raised compliance questions. Board member Adams reminded staff that local health authorities and licensing (including DCF-related checks cited for Head Start sites) require commercial-grade refrigeration and temperature monitoring; Rhonda said the program accounted for those requirements and planned to purchase compliant units with internal thermometers.

The chair called for a motion to approve submitting the application and to have minutes show board approval by the funder's deadline. The motion was made, seconded and members voiced "aye." The chair recorded no opposition and the motion passed. The board did not identify the mover and seconder by name in the transcript. The record indicates the vote was in favor and the action was approved.

Rhonda thanked the board for the fast consideration, invited board members to visit local Head Start sites and said the board would receive copies of new performance-standards materials. No public commenters signed in to speak during the meeting.

The board adjourned without further business.