County school leaders warn federal changes could shrink free-meal coverage under CEP

Prince George's County Public Schools (PGCPS) leaders told the County Council Education & Workforce Development Committee on March 24 that proposed federal policy changes could reduce the number of schools eligible for the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) and increase administrative burdens for the district's child nutrition program.

Superintendent Millard House told the committee that ensuring students receive healthy meals is a district priority and that recent federal policy announcements "impact everything from meal reimbursement rates to nutrition standards, procurement processes, and evolving regulations." He said PGCPS is monitoring those changes closely and coordinating with the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE).

Mary Kirkman (referred to in later remarks as Director Kirkland in the transcript), director of food and nutrition services, told the committee that 32 schools in the district currently receive CEP, which allows schools or groups of schools to serve breakfast and lunch to all students at no charge. She said proposed legislation would change eligibility calculations — raising the threshold for…