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District warns universal free lunch cannot continue at 37 schools as food-service fund balance declines
Summary
Officials told the board that a $26 million food-service fund balance created during COVID reimbursements has been spent down and that, to meet federal operating-reserve guidance, 37 schools will need to return to application-based free/reduced lunch next year; universal breakfast will continue districtwide.
District finance and food‑service officials told the Duval County School Board on Thursday that a large food‑service fund balance accumulated during the COVID period has been intentionally spent down and that the district can no longer continue universal free lunch at 37 schools without reducing reserves below federal guidance.
Finance staff reported the district’s food‑service fund balance peaked around $26 million after higher federal reimbursements during COVID; under current projections the ending fund balance for the year will be about $14 million—near the three‑month operating reserve that staff said federal reviewers expect. A finance official explained that federal reimbursements during COVID were significantly higher than typical rates, which produced the large fund balance.
To reduce the fund balance to an appropriate level, staff said the district expanded capital equipment for kitchens and provided free breakfast and lunch broadly during 2022–23 through 2024–25, but that approach cannot continue for all schools next year. Staff said roughly 37 schools with comparatively low percentages of students eligible for free or reduced-price meals will move back to an application process for lunch next year; students who already qualify through SNAP, Temporary Assistance or Medicaid will be directly certified and continue to receive free meals.
Staff said universal breakfast will continue districtwide for 2025–26: "For '25–'26 next year, all students and all schools will receive breakfast through a universal [program]," a finance official said. For lunch, staff said families at the affected schools will have a 30‑day grace period at the start of the school year and that the district plans online application options and communication strategies to reach families over the summer.
Officials emphasized that any student who cannot pay at the point of sale will still be fed and that the district will explore support options for families on the "bubble." Board members requested additional participation data—how many eligible students actually take school meals at specific campuses—and asked for clear summer and fall communications so families can prepare to add funds to student meal accounts if needed.
Staff said they will provide the list of the approximately 37 schools subject to the change and will supply participation rates by campus on request.
