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Toms River plans to add two schools to Community Eligibility, keeps meal prices steady
Summary
The district will maintain reduced student meal prices next year and staff proposed adding Intermediate North and North schools to the Community Eligibility Provision list because both exceed the 40% free-and-reduced threshold, bringing total CEP schools to six, staff said.
District staff told the board it will keep student meal prices at current reduced levels for the coming year and proposed expanding the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) to two additional schools.
The committee heard that meal prices will remain the same after a significant reduction last year (18–25% depending on grade). Staff proposed adding Intermediate North and North to the district’s CEP roster because both schools now exceed the 40% free-and-reduced threshold; the district currently has four CEP schools (South Toms River Elementary, Sida Elementary, Walnut and Pine Beach). If approved, those additions would bring the total to six CEP schools.
Board members asked whether CEP eligibility applies school-by-school or district-wide. Staff clarified CEP status is determined for each school individually.
The proposal is intended to simplify meal access for students at qualifying schools and increase federal reimbursement for those sites; the committee did not record a formal vote during this session and further administrative steps will be required to add schools to CEP lists.
