The North Callaway School District has announced eligibility requirements for the 2015-2016 free and reduced price lunch program.
Applications, which can be completed anytime throughout the school year, are required for families to be eligible for the free and reduced price lunches, according to a press release. The application requires the applicant's household income from all sources or a case number for SNAP/TANF benefits, according to the release. The application also requires the names of every member of the household and the last four digits of the social security number of the person applying, according to the release.
Eligibility is based on household income and the number of dependents an applicant has, however, for foster children eligibility may be obtained regardless of household income, according to the release.
The free and reduced price lunch program is available to students who cannot afford the full price of school meals, according to the release.
The application process isn't limited to one time a year, North Callaway's Assistant Superintendent Nicky Kemp said. In the event of job insecurity or a change to the number of household members, a family can reapply for the benefits, according to the release. If a parent loses their job or the amount of household income changes that makes a family eligible for the program, they are able to apply at any time during the year, Kemp said. Superintendent Bryan Thomas can also approve a family before the application is finalized if he is aware of the family's financial situation, Kemp said.
Prices for the 2015-2016 school year are $1.45 for breakfast, $1.95 for elementary school lunch and $2.20 for high school lunch, according to the release. That's about $0.10 more than last year's prices, Kemp said. Prices for reduced price breakfast and lunches remained steady at $0.30 and $0.40, respectively, according to the release.
Participation in the free and reduced price lunch program was at 49 percent for the 2013-2014 school year, according to data provided by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE). That's up from 47 percent during the 2011 and 2012 school years, according to DESE data. However, K-12 enrollment for the North Callaway School District has declined by about 100 students from the 2011 to the 2013 school year, according to DESE data.
Parents can pick up the applications from their child's school office. Questions concerning the application process and eligibility requirements should contact the Local Education Agency representative, Gayle Timm at (573) 386-2214.