Board accepts $45,200 donation to expand student cafeteria accounts

The New Canaan Board of Education unanimously accepted a $45,200 donation from the New Canaan Community Foundation to continue a program that adds monthly cafeteria deposits for students enrolled in the district's free and reduced-price lunch program.

The donation funds a continuation and expansion of the district's “cookie program,” which places a monthly deposit into qualifying students' cafeteria accounts to allow them to purchase additional items beyond the standard lunch. Superintendent (speaker identified in the meeting as Superintendent) said the program has grown since its pilot, noting the district sold close to 3,000 cookies last year to about 130 students and that the program also enabled the purchase of sandwiches, bottled beverages and other cafeteria items.

The superintendent said the program originally had roughly $25,000 in funding the prior year and that the donation this year increased to $45,200 because the number of students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch has risen. That increased total, the superintendent said, is covered mostly by an anonymous donor together with the Community Foundation for the remaining amount.

Board member Penny moved to accept the donation; Matt Campbell seconded. The board voted unanimously to accept the $45,200 donation.

The superintendent asked for prompt approval so the district could place the funds into student accounts and continue the monthly deposits.