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VIDALIA, La. — During its regular meeting Thursday, the Concordia Parish School Board discussed new green initiatives that promote both healthy students and a healthy environment, including a new farming curriculum and leasing electric school buses for the district.

The school board discussed leasing seven new electric school buses at an annual cost of $25,800 per bus but decided to table that action for the December board meeting.

Board members had questions regarding the lease or sale of the district’s old buses to recoup the cost.

Each of the district’s six schools will also soon receive new salad bar equipment for a healthier cafeteria option after the board approved a bid on the equipment from H&R Supply for a total cost of $201,000, funded by School Food Services.

The school board heard a presentation from Vidalia High School teacher Mark Vidrine about expanding a new “farm to school” program that has been tested in Ferriday and Monterey to all the schools in the district.

The program includes having children plant and harvest school gardens, composting cafeteria scraps to benefit the garden and supplementing cafeteria food with locally grown and sourced foods.

The program gives children access to “nutrition education, fresh local food and knowledge of agriculture and its importance to individuals and communities,” Vidrine said.

“We believe that this is something that should be long-term. Our goal is to introduce students to new foods, increase school garden cafeteria collaboration and increase the use of local food procurement.”

Vidrine said parents would also be involved through school-hosted cooking competitions and tea parties for families.

“We would like to have some form of (Farm to School program) in every school in Concordia Parish, whether it be activities like taste-tested school gardens or local produce brought in to supplement the cafeteria menu. They may look different from each other, depending on space resources, etc. Any resources that can be granted to ensure more nutritious food for our students would be appreciated and grow dividends for the local communities in the form of healthier citizens, support for local farmers and economic growth.”

Superintendent Toyua Bachus praised the work teachers and students have done thus far.

“I don’t know you got an opportunity to visit our schools and check this out, but if you need some greens you can stop by Ferriday Junior High,” she said. “They have some great turnip greens outside and they are beautiful. Some chickens will be arriving at Ferriday Freshman Academy this week. … This is one of the most important initiatives of our district.”

In other matters Thursday, the school board recognized Sidney A. Murray Jr. Citizenship Award winners in sixth through eighth grade, anti-bullying essay contest winners and Vidalia High School’s 2024 All-American Cheerleaders. Squad members earned a bid to stay for a week in Orlando, Florida, perform and park hop for three days in Walt Disney World, and to come back to perform at the New Year’s Eve Citrus Bowl game, Bachus said.

“Of course, it’s not too late to donate because we want you all to have the best time ever,” she said of the cheerleaders. “I’m proud of you, the board is proud of you, your community is proud of you and your parents are proud of you. It’s a major accomplishment.”

The All-American team includes Chloe Carter, Adaija Harris, Kolbee Kenney, Chaney Mearday, Landry Merritt, Natalie Vestal, Britton Whittington and Chesney Williams. Their sponsor and coach is Tiffany Paul Frank.

Essay contest winners include: Addy Grace Betts, Zoey Barnett, Macklyn Bates Ken’Zyrah Cauley, Scarlett Kifer and Noah Clark.

Citizenship award winners include: Christopher Raymos, Destinee Davis, Benton Swillie, Kaely Thomas, Brendyn Gullage, Devari Evans, Cam Wilson, Liam Domangue Tucker Brown, Emmorie Deason, Robert Allen, Madison Warren and Heaven Pretty.