3542.31 3542.31Business and Non Instructional Operations
Free or Reduced Price Lunches
National School Lunch Program regulations require that lunches be provided for needy students. Informational letters and application forms will be distributed to all parents as soon as possible after the opening of school each year providing information on eligibility standards, procedures for applying for free meals or reduced price meals, and how appeals may be filed for reviews of decisions on their application. This information and application forms also will be provided when new students are enrolled.
A public news release containing this same information will be made available to local news representatives early in the school year, and copies of this public release will be made available upon request. Changes in school system eligibility standards during the school year, which are approved by the State agency, will also be publicly announced.
A. Free or reduced price lunches and/or supplementary milk will be provided for all students who qualify on the basis of financial need.
B. There shall be no discrimination in the furnishings of meals or supplementary milk (because of race, religion, handicap, source of income, etc.)
C. The anonymity of students receiving assistance under this policy shall be protected. They will use the same tickets for milk and lunch and will obtain these items in the same manner and place as do other children.
D. Requests for free lunches, reduced price lunches and/or supplementary milk that have been denied may be appealed to the superintendent of schools.
E. Records of students receiving assistance will be kept in each school, and monthly reports will be submitted to the Central Office for audit purposes.
F. If school authorities feel that a family's financial situation has changed, the superintendent may ask for a review of new information through hearing procedures on continued eligibility; families will be given reasonable time in advance of any hearings to review information on which challenges are based. Students will continue to receive free meals until the conclusion of the hearing.
Legal Reference: Connecticut General Statutes
10 215 Lunches, breakfasts and other feeding programs for public school children and employees.
10 215a Nonpublic school and nonprofit agency participation in feeding programs.
10 215b Duties of state board of education re feeding programs.
10 215d Regulations re nutrition standards for school breakfasts and lunches.
10 216 Payment of expenses.
10 217 Penalty.
State Board of Education Regulations
Federal Statutes and Regulations
Policy adopted: 09-10-18