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Polk County elementary students will receive free school meals during the 2022-23 school year.

 

At its regular monthly meeting on Monday at Stearns Education Center, the Polk County Board of Education voted to approve the optional Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) for Polk Central Elementary, Sunny View Elementary and Tryon Elementary and to offer a Universal free meal program at Saluda Elementary. Those decisions will mean that all Polk County Schools students in grades pre-kindergarten through fifth grade will receive free school meals throughout the year.

 

Funding for the meals will come from a combination of revenue from the CEP program and donations from private individuals.

 

Throughout the coronavirus pandemic, all Polk County Schools students received free breakfast and lunch at school, but that funding program is no longer available to schools and families. As a result, students at Polk County Middle School, Polk County High School and Polk County Early College will return to paid meals unless a family applies for and receives free or reduced meals according to federally set income thresholds.  

 

More information on meals at each school will be released soon.

 

In other business conducted by the board:

 

* The board set tuition for out-of-district students at $2,365. The tuition is for students attending Polk County Schools but living in another county.

 

* Curriculum and Instruction Director Jan Crump reminded the board that all pre-kindergarten students will attend half-days the first week of school to help their transition into the school environment.

 

* The board approved changes to Instructional Materials policies 3200, 3200-R and 3210 on first reading with some minor modifications.

 

* Assistant Superintendent Dave Scherping provided progress updates on the PCHS HVAC project and the preschool addition to Tryon Elementary’s campus while Director of Operations Dr. Brandonm Schweitzer summarized other summer construction projects.

 

* The board voted to approve a micro-purchasing resolution that brings federal spending guidelines in line with state guidelines for consistency in operations.

 

* Superintendent Aaron Greene updated the board on ongoing book challenges and several beginning of year meetings and events, including the annual Administrators’ Retreat, New Employee Orientation and Polk County Schools Convocation, set for August 23.

 

The next Polk County Board of Education Meeting will be held on September 12.