GUSD receives $12,000 annually in money to prevent smoking
n Staff Report
Gilroy – The Gilroy Unified School District did not receive a chunk of a $9.9-million state grant because local schools already participate in the Tobacco-Use Prevention Education.
The $12,000 GUSD receives annually is part of an on-going grant from the state. Every year district officials receive notice from the California Department of Education, asking if they’d like to continue the grant, said Director of Business Services Keiko Mizuno.
The grant funds the purchase of anti-smoking materials for grades four through eight. Still, Mizuno noted that the anti-tobacco cash is quite minuscule and the district may apply for additional funds in the future smoking education is identified as a priority by the new grant writer.
On Thursday, the state announced that 42 California school districts serving high school students, received a portion of the nearly $10-million grant.
“Research shows when children abuse tobacco, alcohol and other drugs, there is an accompanying rise in violence at school and in the community and a decline in student success,” said State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O’Connell in a written statement. “The education agencies receiving these grants have proposed anti-tobacco use programs that are exemplary and well-planned. The applicants formed good partnerships with community groups and parents to boost their program’s effectiveness in helping students stay healthy and fit in a safe and tobacco-free environment.”
Funding for the Tobacco-Use Prevention Education program is derived Proposition 99, a state tax on cigarettes. The legislation, approved in 1988, increased cigarette tax by 25 cents.
A total of 68 education agencies applied for TUPE funds and were selected through a competitive grant process. Selection was based on a variety of factors including need, tobacco-use prevention strategies, proposed plan to use funds, staffing, partnerships, evaluation plan and proposed budget, according to the CDE press release.
