DeRidder, LA – Fort Polk Progress Chairman Rick Allen awarded the Beauregard Parish School District a grant of $18,000 Thursday evening during the district school board's regular meeting.
The Beauregard Parish School District serves 176 military-connected children. According to the grant, the school district plans to use the funds for technology and public relations.
"The Fort Polk Progress board and I are ecstatic that we were able to meet both of the grant requests from Beauregard Parish School Board this year," said Fort Polk Progress Chairman, Rick Allen. "The Beauregard Parish School Board has provided quality education year after year for military connected students, and Fort Polk Progress acknowledges their efforts. We are thankful for the partnership we have. It is our pleasure to award $18,000 to benefit all the students of Beauregard Parish."
According to Kim Hayes, curriculum director at the Beauregard Parish School Board, the district will use $15,000 of the grant to help with the costs of new district and school websites.
"We have trained webmasters at each school site and the Central Office who keep our pages updated so that our schools are providing helpful applications and useful information," said Hayes. "We know that military families view our websites when making their plans to locate to our state and to keep informed about our schools once their children are enrolled." She indicated that the websites provide information such as school calendars, school fees, policies and progression plans, as well as forms for new student registration, job applications, and other online applications that streamline the process for parents and potential employees.
The remaining grant funds will be used to enhance communications with the public, said Hayes.
"We understand that timely communication is an essential component of effective community relations, and we strive to keep our stakeholders informed and meaningfully engaged," she said.
Fort Polk Progress is a regional organization focused on coordinating the efforts of the local communities, the State of Louisiana and the Louisiana Congressional delegation on supporting the Army, the mission at Fort Polk, and the quality of life for soldiers and families stationed in Louisiana.
