Board approves Purdue gifted-camp trip and Nujoni Smiles dental partnership
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Summary
The board unanimously approved a Purdue University gifted-student residential trip (30 students, July 2026) and a memorandum with Nujoni Smiles to distribute oral-hygiene bags and conduct screenings; both items passed without dissent.
On Feb. 19 the Central Consolidated School District board approved two community-and-student-support items: (1) a unique field-trip request for 30 gifted-and-talented students to attend Purdue University’s JERI summer residential camp (July 11–20, 2026), and (2) a memorandum of understanding with Nujoni Smiles Inc. to distribute 2,000 oral-hygiene bags and provide school-based dental screenings focused on rural schools.
Gifted-program coordinator Kate Morris said Purdue granted scholarship support and that participating students were selected via GPA, attendance and a short video application. Estimated total trip cost presented to the board was approximately $29,647, with about $984.90 per student after scholarships. Morris said funding will come from the gifted program operational budget and that parents provided consent for selected students.
Tammy Wagner Johnson presented the dental outreach plan, emphasizing free screenings and referrals without billing Medicaid at the screening stage: "We...are not asking for Medicaid IDs. We're just giving the consent to the parent...we will screen the child...and provide a referral," she said. The MOU targets additional coverage in rural schools where school-aged secondary dental services are less available.
Both items were moved, seconded and approved on voice/roll-call votes (Purdue trip approved unanimously; Nujoni Smiles MOU approved unanimously). Board members expressed appreciation for the academic and health opportunities the items provide to students across district regions.
