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Committee reviews new community‑school grant and Extension staffing changes
Summary
Committee members recapped a recently approved $158,000, three‑year community‑school grant to fund two resource coordinators at two Oshkosh elementary schools, and heard Extension staffing updates including a new health and well‑being educator and a dairy educator resignation.
Committee members recapped a community‑school initiative approved by the county board on a two‑thirds vote last night that will place resource coordinators in two elementary schools in Oshkosh funded by a roughly $158,000 grant over three years.
A committee member summarized the program and said the coordinators will connect schools with health department resources and community supports to reduce barriers such as food insecurity and chronic absenteeism. "This week, it's a $158,000 grant, if I remember the amount correctly, for 3 years," the member said.
The committee discussed eligibility and implementation: the targeted schools are high‑poverty campuses (committee members said both are eligible for 100% free breakfast and lunch) and the resource coordinator role will be managed by the health department. The chair directed staff to contact the public health director (referred to in the meeting as Gerhardt) for hiring and operational details.
Extension staffing and administration: the committee welcomed Christie as the new health and well‑being educator (50% appointment) who said she will focus on nutrition education, collaborate with Katie Jagley, and explore farm‑to‑school and Head Start partnerships. Administrative updates included area extension director interviews scheduled for Feb. 3 and Feb. 6 and the recent resignation of a 0.25 dairy educator (Stephanie Bowers) with a last day of Feb. 6.
Why it matters: Members noted the grant could help reduce absenteeism and support families by connecting students and parents to food and other supports. Committee members emphasized that program sustainment beyond three years will depend on demonstrated results and future funding decisions.
Next steps: Staff will follow up with the public health director about coordinator hiring and with Extension leadership about filling the dairy educator position and the area director transition.
