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Board authorizes exploration of Kickstart Kids course after hearing $125,000-per-campus cost
Summary
After a presentation from Dr. King Knowles, the board voted to allow staff to explore piloting Kickstart Kids — a character-through-karate nonprofit program — noting an estimated $125,000 launch cost per campus with Kickstart expected to contribute about $45,000.
Dr. King Knowles presented a proposal to pilot Kickstart Kids, a Texas-based nonprofit character-through-karate program founded by Chuck Norris, as a middle-school elective that emphasizes discipline, confidence and mentorship. "The cost for the program to run each year per campus is initially a $125,000," Knowles said, and he added that Kickstart Kids would offer roughly $45,000 to offset the initial cost.
Trustees pressed on financing and logistics: whether instructors would be certified teachers, whether the program could count as CTE, and how fees or uniforms would be covered. Knowles said funding options could include sponsorships and grants (for example, other districts have used Title II and Title IV funds) and that Kickstart has processes for sponsorship and tournament support. After discussion, Trustee (unnamed in transcript) moved to authorize staff to explore the logistical, financial and contractual steps needed to pilot Kickstart Kids; Secretary Patton seconded, and the motion passed with board concurrence.
Knowles and trustees emphasized that the district was in an "exploratory phase" and would return with specifics (possible pilot locations, an MOU and funding plans) before any program launch or contract execution. Board members asked for clarity on teacher certification, TRS contributions and how ongoing program fees would be handled; Knowles said those items would be part of the exploration and follow-up reporting to the board.
