The Finance & Claims Committee on Nov. 13 voted unanimously to approve a resolution recommending a $200,000 special appropriation from the general fund balance to the Norwalk Public Schools lunch fund to preserve the district’s free meals program.

Jared Schmidt, the city CFO, explained that the appropriation is a special item that comes through the Board of Estimate and Taxation and the Common Council. The total restoration effort discussed during the meeting called for roughly $500,000 to cover the full program: $200,000 from the McChord Foundation, $200,000 from the city, and the remainder from the Board of Education.

Schmidt and Chair Jim Frayer said the appropriation reverses a post-budget reduction the Board of Education had proposed and reflects public and mayoral support for restoring school nutrition programs.