Solon schools report rise to 17% in students eligible for free and reduced-price lunch

Solon City School District officials told the Board of Education on Aug. 4 that 17% of the district's students now qualify for free and reduced-price school meals, up from roughly 8–10% nearly a decade ago. The superintendent said the district will send the annual notice about income eligibility guidelines to all families and encouraged any household that might be close to the thresholds to submit an application. "We encourage you to, if you think you're even close, but you're like, oh, I think we make too much, fill out the application," the superintendent said. District staff said the information will be distributed by email and posted on the district website. Officials emphasized the application process is confidential and that assistance is available to families who think they might qualify. Board members heard the report during the information items portion of the meeting; no formal action was required. The superintendent noted the increase in the eligible population compared with levels nine years earlier and urged broad outreach to ensure families who qualify complete the paperwork.