Elementary students in Polk County Schools will continue to receive free breakfast and lunch during the 2019-2020 school year.   

 

At its regular monthly meeting on Monday at Stearns Education Center, the Polk County Board of Education approved the continuation of free breakfast and lunch for all elementary students in the county through the Community Eligibility Provision. 

 

The CEP program is offered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to schools with higher percentages of students living in poverty. Through the program, the district is reimbursed by the state for student meals, but the program does not cover the full cost to food service operations. In past years local donors have contributed to mitigate the loss in revenue.   

  

Prior to voting, board members highlighted the significant benefits of participation for students and families and all expressed a strong desire to continue the program.  

  

“For families with multiple children the program is a great service,” said board chairman Geoffrey M. Tennant. 

 

“It is reassuring knowing that all our younger students will have the ability to eat school breakfast and lunch free of charge,” said Superintendent Aaron Greene  after the meeting. “I have heard parents and families speak positively about the program over the years Polk Schools has participated, and we are fortunate that the Polk County Board of Education and our local community is supportive of the effort.” 

 

More information on CEP can be found at https://www.fns.usda.gov/school-meals/community-eligibility-provision.   

 

In other business: 

 

* Based on recommendations from the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction during this year’s audit of food services, the board approved increases in costs for breakfast and lunch for the 2019-2020 school year. Student costs will increase 25 cents to $1.25 for breakfast and 10 cents to $2.85 for lunch. 

 

* The board approved Polk County High School’s 2019-2020 Local Career and Technical Education (CTE) Plan following a presentation by Director Della Frye. 

 

* The board approved recent budget amendments and a budget resolution for 2019-2020 covering operations and capital expenditures. Those are based on funding allotment projections and will be adjusted after the official state budget is passed. 

 

* Following a review of three bids, the board selected Grier Roofing to perform work this summer on the roof at Sunny View Elementary School. 

 

* The board approved trips planned by Polk County FFA to summer camp in Elizabethtown and the state FFA convention in Raleigh. 

 

* In a pair of calendar actions, the board established its summer meeting dates – June 10 and July 29 – and approved the 2019-2020 calendar for Polk County Early College, which will be made available at http://calendar.polkschools.org. 

By Andy Rhinehart