Elementary school receives grant for cooler

Havre Public Schools has received a $5,000 grant that the district clerk said will be used to buy at least one cooler at Lincoln-McKinley Primary School.

The 2016 National School Lunch Program Equipment Assistance Grant, which was applied for by the district clerk, Shanna Flores, is money provided by the Fiscal Year 2016 Agriculture Appropriations Act through the Office of Public Instruction.

Flores said Tuesday, after the Board of Trustees meeting, that the grant is much needed.

“All our equipment is outdated,” Flores said.

The plan, she added, was to buy a cooler, which will store cartons of milk for the elementary school, and whatever money is left will be allocated toward another as a backup for the entire district. If more money is needed for the second cooler, it can be taken from elsewhere to make up the difference, Flores said.

In a letter to the district, OPI said the grant was very sought-out.

“The grant process this year was extremely competitive; over 40 grant applications were received for 13 grant awards,” the letter says.