Rockdale schools to adopt Community Eligibility Provision; district claiming rate rises

Rockdale County Public Schools officials told the board their district qualified to adopt the Community Eligibility Provision, increasing the share of meals reimbursed at the higher "free" rate and removing the need for household meal applications.

The recommendation, presented by Blaine Allen of the division of community impact, said the Georgia Department of Education validated a higher claiming percentage for school year 2026 and approved the district’s CEP status effective July 1, 2025. Under the revalidation, the districtwide "free" claiming percentage rose to 94.08% (paid 5.92%). Allen said the validation process used identified-student data (SNAP, TANF, Medicaid, foster, homeless and other categorical programs) and that 10,109 students were counted as identified in the worksheet submitted to the state.

Administrators said the change will increase federal reimbursement for breakfasts and lunches, boost student access to no-cost meals, eliminate unpaid meal charges and reduce stigma associated with free and reduced-price meal programs. Allen presented the reimbursement rates discussed at the meeting: paid breakfast reimbursement 38 cents, free breakfast $2.84; paid lunch 53 cents, free lunch $4.54. He said the revalidation and higher claiming percentage will increase reimbursements to the school nutrition budget districtwide.

Board members asked how the claiming percentages interact with other federal funding formulas. Board member Justin Kenny asked whether the change would affect Title funding allocations. Administrators said the CEP validation data are used in calculations that influence Title I and E-rate allocations; the Title I director (Ursula Davis) will verify detailed impacts and provide formal confirmation to the board. CFO-level staff also confirmed district staff would follow up to provide the breakdown.

The CEP action item was presented as part of the cabinet’s set of items to be considered at the regular session. A motion to place items 1–12 (which include the CEP recommendation) on the consent agenda at the next regular meeting was moved by Nikita Parm and seconded by Vice Chair Janie Jones; the motion passed 7–0, meaning the CEP item will appear on next week’s consent agenda for formal board action.

Administrators said the CEP revalidation covers the next four-year cycle but that a new base year may be established annually in April, per the CEP process. They also stressed that the validation used state data and the district will continue annual diligence to ensure claiming percentages are accurate and that allocations to other federal programs are preserved.

The superintendent’s office and the Title I director were asked to supply a follow-up memo that details how the higher claiming percentage affects Title allocations and the district’s per-school funding calculations. The board made no formal final decision on CEP at the work session; the item will be part of the consent agenda at the next regular meeting.