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Northridge board opts out of Provision 2 lunch program, keeps free breakfast and waives student fees
Summary
The Northridge Local School District Board voted 4-0 May 19 to exit the federal Provision 2 lunch program for 2026–27, citing fiscal strain; the board will continue free breakfast and approved waivers of activity, academic and athletic fees for K–12.
The Northridge Local School District Board of Education voted 4-0 on May 19 to opt out of the federal Provision 2 program for school lunch for the 2026–27 school year while continuing to provide free breakfast to students.
Superintendent (reading the recommendation) said the motion would "opt out of the food service provision 2 program while continuing to provide free breakfast to students for the 2627 school year." Board members discussed how the Provision 2 reimbursement works and the effect on the district general fund.
Missus Smith, who led a financial review of the program, said the district receives about "40¢ back per lunch from the government," and that the district has been covering the balance when it provides universal free lunch. "So right now, because we are offering free lunch to all students, the district is making up that balance," she said, describing that gap as a "hefty expense."
Board members framed the action as an effort to preserve general-fund resources while keeping targeted support for students who qualify for free and reduced-price meals. The board asked administrators to publish the new lunch price and begin communication in June so families can plan; the superintendent said the district aims to have price information on the website by mid-June and will use ParentSquare and other channels.
At the same meeting the board also approved a package of fee waivers intended to reduce costs to families: continuation of a waiver of student activity fees, waiver of academic school fees, and waiver of student athletic participation fees for eligible K–12 students for 2026–27. Each of those votes passed by unanimous roll call.
The board did not set the lunch price at the meeting; administrators said they will determine the price and post it publicly before school starts.
The action followed a treasurer and finance-committee review of the food-service fund, and board members requested clear public communication about eligibility and any application steps for free and reduced-price meals.
Outcome and next step: the board adopted the opt-out and fee waivers; the district will announce the lunch price and communications plan in June.
