Board members on Oct. 28 heard that Murfreesboro City Schools has a short-term plan to maintain student and family food supports if SNAP benefits change and that existing federally funded positions are not immediately at risk if a federal funding lapse occurs.

Lisa Trail, delivering the communications report, said the district's backpack program and family food-supply program currently have an ample supply due to donations from First Baptist Church, New Vision and other partners. "We do have a plan. We're working with the social workers. We're working with Ken's student support services team to make sure we keep that supply," Trail said, and she asked community members to route donations through the district's family resource center and Jennifer Lowe.

Director of Schools Dr. Duke addressed a board question about the potential impact of a federal government shutdown on federally funded positions. He said the district receives federal funding in advance and that funds held up during a shutdown would most directly affect the next school year rather than current staffing. "The Federal shutdown will not immediately impact us or our operations as the school system," Dr. Duke said. He added that Title I and IDEA funding positions are not expected to be immediately affected.

District staff said they will continue outreach to community partners and social workers to ensure families in need have immediate access to food supplies and that financial donations are processed through the family resource center.