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Richland Two board adopts resolution not to implement districtwide CEP for 2025–26
Summary
The Richland Two Board of Trustees voted to adopt a resolution declining districtwide participation in the federal Community Eligibility Provision for the 2025–26 school year, citing financial constraints; one trustee voiced opposition and asked whether budget and marketing lines had been reviewed.
The Richland Two School District Board of Trustees on July 22 voted to adopt a resolution not to participate in a districtwide Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) for the 2025–26 school year, citing the district's current budget limitations.
The resolution, introduced after Superintendent Dr. Moore explained a new legislative requirement that the board adopt a resolution addressing CEP, states the district will not implement CEP districtwide because the additional cost for full implementation would be about $2,000,000 and those funds are not available at this time.
The action matters because CEP, a federal option tied to school meal programs, allows eligible districts and schools to offer free breakfast and lunch to all students without individual applications. Dr. Moore told the board the change came out of the last legislative session and that full implementation would carry the additional $2 million cost for the district.
Trustee Washington moved to adopt the resolution "not to participate in a district wide community eligibility program due to the financial burden," and Trustee Dennis seconded the motion. Trustee Dr. Elkins Scott said she would not support the resolution and urged the board to search for grants or reexamine the budget, saying, "When students are not eating, they're not healthy, they can't perform well. So that should be one of our priorities." Dr. Elkins Scott also said she did not think the board had "took a deep dive into trying to figure out where we can find the monies to do this."
District staff explained that 25 schools in the district already participate in CEP and that students who qualify for free meals at non-CEP schools still receive free meals by application. Mr. Anderson, a district staff member working on food and grants, told the board that the National School Lunch Program provides different funding streams and that the district already participates in several federal feeding programs. He said, "To my knowledge right now, there is not another funding that would serve outside of CEP. But we'll work with our grants coordinator, Miss Arlene Bacutus, to look into additional funding." He also noted federal funding streams were under review.
During the discussion Trustee Pat Reelton Scott asked whether the district's billboard and marketing costs are paid from grants or the general fund. Dr. Moore said marketing is paid from the general fund and offered to provide the board with the actual cost for billboards and to share that information publicly.
The board then voted to adopt the resolution. The transcript records the chair calling the vote and later says "The vote is 5 yes, 0 no. The motion passes." The transcript also records Dr. Elkins Scott stating she would not support the motion, indicating there was at least one expressed dissent; the recorded numeric tally in the transcript contains inconsistency. The resolution text and any future changes would be brought back to the board if new funding is identified.
Board members present: Trustee Washington (mover), Trustee Dennis (seconder), Trustee Williams, Trustee Trapp, Trustee (first name not provided) who cast affirmative votes on the record, and Trustee Dr. Elkins Scott, who stated opposition during debate.
