Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the School Meals topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Saucon Valley board pledges to continue school meals amid state and federal budget uncertainty
Summary
The board unanimously adopted a resolution directing administration to continue National School Lunch and Breakfast programs during federal and Pennsylvania budget disruptions, to temporarily use local funds if necessary, to coordinate with state and federal agencies for reimbursement, and to notify families that meals will continue.
The Saucon Valley School District board voted to reaffirm its commitment to the National School Lunch and Breakfast programs and directed administration to continue meal service during the current federal government shutdown and Pennsylvania budget impasse.
"The Saucon Valley Board of School Directors hereby reaffirms its commitment to the National School Lunch and Breakfast Program," said Dr. Pakstad as he read the resolution. The adopted text directs administration to "continue the operation of school meal programs during any period of the federal government shutdown and Pennsylvania state budget impasse, to utilize available local funds as may be necessary as a temporary measure to maintain food service operations until reimbursements or appropriations are restored, and to report to the board on the fiscal impact and continuity of services."
Board members debated financial exposure and communication to families before the vote. One board member said, "Kids shouldn't go hungry," and another asked whether there would be a budgetary impact; the business manager reported that for September the district received about $67,000 in federal/state reimbursements for breakfast and lunch combined and that funding was confirmed through September and October but future payments were uncertain.
The motion was moved and seconded during the meeting and approved by a voice vote. The board also directed administration to publish a statement to families assuring them that meal services will continue, to include guidance for families whose circumstances have recently changed and who may now be eligible for free or reduced-price meals.
What this means: The district will temporarily absorb costs as needed to prevent interruptions to students' access to meals while it pursues reimbursement from state and federal sources and reports fiscal impacts back to the board.
Next steps: Administration will send the approved communication to eligible families, track the fiscal impact, coordinate with the Pennsylvania Department of Education and U.S. Department of Agriculture, and present a report to the board as directed by the resolution.
