Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the School Meals topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Waterloo Local board votes to apply for one-year free-meals pilot
Summary
The Waterloo Local Board of Education unanimously authorized staff to apply for the Community Eligibility Provision pilot for the 2025–26 school year, which would provide free breakfast and lunch to all students pending state approval and reimbursement rules.
The Waterloo Local Board of Education voted unanimously to apply for a one-year Community Eligibility Provision pilot that would provide free breakfast and lunch to all students during the 2025–26 school year, pending approval from the Ohio Department of Education and required reimbursements.
Board members authorized district staff to submit the application after staff explained how eligibility is determined and how reimbursements work. According to the presentation, the district’s direct-certification count (students automatically certified through SNAP or other assistance) places Waterloo Local in a position to qualify for CEP; the state would reimburse meals for directly certified students and the district would cover the balance for non-certified students under the program’s reimbursement formula.
Why it matters: If approved, CEP would remove daily meal fees for students during the pilot year and could simplify meal administration. District officials said they expect to receive notice on approval by July.
Board discussion and vote: A board member said the program has been under consideration and that the timing now “seems like it’s going to fit.” The motion to apply passed by roll call.
Next steps: District staff will submit the application and report back to the board once the state issues its determination. The board’s authorization covers application submission only; no permanent funding change or policy adoption was made at the meeting.
