Community group urges BASD to expand federal Community Eligibility Provision to 11 schools, board asks for cost details
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Summary
A representative from the Democratic Socialists of America told the board CEP could cover 11 schools and 4,043 students and eliminate meal debt at no direct cost to families; board members welcomed the data but said equity and partial rollouts require further analysis and a district cost breakdown.
At the public‑comment period on Feb. 9, Sebastian Zaveruka of the Lehigh Valley chapter of Democratic Socialists of America urged the Bethlehem Area School District to expand the federal Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) so more students would receive free breakfast and free lunch.
Zaveruka said after a Feb. 14 meeting with district staff, CEP now appears financially viable for 11 schools — Calypso, Clearview, Thomas Jefferson, William Penn, Lincoln, Freemansburg, Fountain Hill, Dunigan, Maravine, Northeast Middle and Brockwell Middle — representing about 4,043 students and roughly one‑third of the district’s students by headcount. He said CEP would secure universal free meals at those schools for four years and would eliminate meal debt for students at covered schools. “When it is a viable option based off of ISP numbers, directly certified numbers, it is a financial opportunity for this school district,” he said.
Board members and administrators thanked Zaveruka for the information and acknowledged the potential to expand free breakfast and lunch. Trustees noted, however, that board deliberations historically consider equity concerns: partial adoption could benefit students at some schools while leaving similarly needy students at other schools without coverage. Administrators said more granular cost‑per‑meal breakdowns (labor, food and facilities) and analysis of grant interactions would be needed and that the district would take the information into budget conversations.
Zaveruka also emphasized that CEP reduces collection and debt burdens on students and families. The district did not make a decision at the meeting; administrators said further analysis and discussion during budget planning are required before any policy or program change.