Huntsville School District says it qualifies for Community Eligibility Provision; board to vote in May

The Huntsville School District reported Tuesday that it qualifies to apply for the federal Community Eligibility Provision, a program that would make school meals free for all students if the district files and the state approves the application.

District child nutrition leader Jill told the school board that the district’s identified student percentage (ISP) rose to 46.97% from 23.2% the prior year, putting the district above the 25% minimum threshold used to consider CEP. “This year we have made it 46.97% district wide,” Jill said. She added the district has not yet applied and would need board and state approvals to begin CEP next school year.

If the district files and is approved, staff said federal reimbursements would be calculated so the district’s meals would be reimbursed at 75.17% of the federal free rate and 24.77% as a paid-equivalent rate; reduced-price meals would be eliminated. Jill said the CEP election would lock those rates for five years, with a possible five-year extension if the district chooses. District staff cautioned families that any current negative balance on a student account would still generate a collection notice until paid even if meals are free next year.

Finance staff Natasha explained how CEP interacts with the district’s ESA allocations, saying the district’s allocation level would be “locked in” at roughly 71% for the CEP cycle and that the phased receipt of increased ESA funds means the district expects to realize nearly $1.5 million in allocation next year. Natasha said the district’s estimate to cover lunches for all unreimbursed students eating every day would be about $365,000, a figure she described as “very doable” within the expected additional ESA allocation.

District staff outlined the state timeline: the district must accept the state’s extended offer by April 30 to petition the board to file in May, with the final filing deadline for next school year on June 30. Jill said the district will submit the application only after the state confirms the numbers and the board votes to elect CEP.

Why it matters: CEP would make breakfast, lunch and snack free for every student in the district while changing how federal and local meal funding is collected and allocated. District leaders said the change could reduce administrative burden from collecting applications and could lock in higher per-student allocations used to support operations.

Next steps: District staff said they plan to bring a formal CEP election to the board at the May meeting and will notify the community if and when the state grants approval.