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Toms River board proposes cutting student meal prices as three schools qualify for free meals under CEP
Summary
District staff proposed reducing lunch prices by $0.75 and breakfast by $0.50 for 2024–25 and announced that Walnut and Pine Beach joined South Toms River in qualifying for the Community Eligibility Provision after the state lowered the direct-certification threshold to 25%.
District officials proposed lowering student meal prices for the 2024–25 school year and said expanded eligibility for the Community Eligibility Provision will allow the district to offer free breakfasts and lunches at three more schools.
At a July 1 committee meeting, a district presenter explained that the New Jersey change lowering the direct-certification threshold from 40% to 25% meant Walnut and Pine Beach now meet the standard and will join South Toms River in qualifying for CEP, under which all students at a qualifying school receive free breakfast and lunch. "Every time we can feed a child it's a beautiful thing," the presenter said, describing the program's positive effects on behavior and student achievement in buildings that already participate.
The administration proposed reducing lunch prices by $0.75 and breakfast by $0.50 at the high-school, intermediate and elementary levels for 2024–25. Staff said the food-service fund balance and recent financial projections indicate the district expects to "break even or better" with those price reductions. The presentation included percentage reductions in meal charges and an example of annual family savings if a parent pays for a child's lunch all school days.
Board members asked clarifying questions about which schools currently have professional-development purchases and about certain line items; staff answered and then reviewed lease and sponsorship totals. Administration also noted it had submitted meeting minute extracts from a prior budget vote to the county and was awaiting the county's response on next steps.
The committee did not take a final formal vote on meal prices during the portion of the meeting covered in the transcript; staff said the pricing proposal was under consideration and described the budget reasoning and reimbursement dynamics that led to the recommendation.
What happens next: staff said they will continue budgeting work and the proposal will be brought forward through the district’s normal approval process for final action.
