Gilbert Unified staff urge families to complete free and reduced-price meal applications to increase school funding

Gilbert Unified District staff urged families during a district meeting to complete free and reduced-price meal applications, saying the applications help the district secure federal and state funds that pay for meals and academic supports.

District staff emphasized that completing an application can make students eligible for reduced fees and that household data is used to calculate Title I and other funding allocations. “It's great to fill out the free and reduced apps because it not only helps you, but also helps your school community,” Speaker 1, a Gilbert Unified District staff member, said.

District staff said the district is receiving a state grant this year that covers a combined breakfast-and-lunch meal for students enrolled in the reduced-price program. “It's so exciting that this year everyone who's on the reduced program actually get breakfast and lunch combo meal for free every school day, which is supported by a grant from the state of Arizona,” Speaker 2, a Gilbert Unified District staff member, said.

Staff described other benefits that stem from an accurate count of eligible households. “Even if a student doesn't qualify for free and reduced lunch, the more accurate data we can get across the entire district, basically, the more money we'll get for programs that can be used, again, both at title schools and some programs that are district wide and affect everyone,” Speaker 3, a Gilbert Unified District staff member, said. Staff said those funds support labor and food costs through the U.S. Department of Agriculture and inform the district's Title I allocations, which district staff said pay for positions and resources such as math and reading specialists, Chromebooks, family engagement activities and other instructional materials. “It funds teachers. It funds family engagement activities. It funds Chromebooks. It funds a myriad of things, supplies, materials,” Speaker 3 said.

Staff outlined how to apply and reassured families about data handling. The district said the application takes about five minutes and is available online or as a paper copy. “So the application takes about 5 minutes to complete. You can do it via paper copy or we have a link online on our website where you can fill it out,” Speaker 3 said. Staff said the household information is collected by the district's health and nutrition services and is passed to the state for funding calculations; staff also stated that application data is not shared across the district beyond those reporting channels.

Staff encouraged households to apply even if they are unsure of eligibility, saying a denied application still helps the district obtain a more accurate count. “Let's say you're not sure if you'd qualify for free and reduced meals. It doesn't hurt to fill out the application. Even if it gets denied, it helps with our numbers to be a more accurate percentage,” Speaker 2 said.

The district framed the appeals to apply as part of ensuring equitable funding across schools. “As a district, we're required by both the state and the federal government to make sure that, all of our schools are funded equitably. And so title funds really give us the opportunity to make sure that as we allocate state and local funds and we allocate title funds, we can put those additional resources and supports in place for those kids,” Speaker 3 said.

District staff did not report any formal vote or policy change during the remarks; the comments were presented as information and encouragement to families to complete applications.