The Somers Central School District told parents and board members that every student will be eligible for a free complete breakfast and a free complete lunch this school year, but the district urged families to continue submitting free-and-reduced-price meal applications because those forms affect funding and other program eligibility.

At a board meeting during the business consent discussion, a district staff member identified as Chris said, “This year is a little different knowing that, every child now is entitled to free breakfast and free lunch.” The district clarified that snacks, water and a la carte items will still cost money: “All the other snacks and water and additional a la carte items are not free,” a staff member added.

Why it matters: school meal applications are used for more than daily reimbursements; they inform certain state and federal funding formulas and eligibility for district programs. Board members and staff emphasized the forms remain important even if students receive a free complete meal at school.

Details from the meeting: staff said the state will reimburse districts only for meals not covered by federal reimbursements; the federal free-and-reduced-price lunch program still requires families to submit forms. District staff asked families to complete the forms because the data are used for grant and aid applications and could affect future funding. The board said the district will provide more communications on social media and through building principals to clarify what items are covered and how to submit the forms.

Operational notes and contacts: families with questions were directed to contact Jill Weissman in the cafeteria/food-services office for help completing forms or understanding charges for extras. The business consent agenda, which included the free-and-reduced-price statement, was approved by the board as part of the consent items.

The meeting record showed discussion and clarifying answers from staff but did not show a separate roll-call vote tied to the free-meals explanation beyond the broader business consent approval.