Last year the school board accepted the administrative recommendation to eliminate the reduced lunch payment on the part of students on the theory that this may increase likelihood of students reduced lunch to participate in the lunch program. Below are the data from on reduced lunch participation. With this change we saw an increase of 12.9% on the part of those students who qualify for reduced lunch. In addition we saw an increase in applications for reduced lunch of 8.2%. The net cost to the district of this program was $88.47.
It is recommended that the board continue to pay this portion for students as we recognize the positive impact of children who eat nutritious lunches. If there is no board action the program will continue.