Waterloo Local board approves application to pilot free school meals for 2025-26

The Waterloo Local Board of Education voted to apply for the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP), a one-year pilot that would provide free breakfast and lunch to all district students in the 2025-26 school year pending approval from the Ohio Department of Education.

Board members approved the superintendent27s recommendation by roll call during the superintendent-business portion of the meeting. Board presenters explained the program27s mechanics: the district27s eligibility is calculated from students who are directly certified through state benefits programs (for example, SNAP or certain workforce assistance), the state reimburses the district based on that directly certified count, and the district covers any remaining costs for students who are not directly certified.

Supporters described the program as a way to ensure every student receives meals during the school day without a household application for each student. The board moved and approved the application to participate in CEP as a pilot for one school year; the district expects to learn the approval status by July, pending state timelines and final program determinations.

The motion to apply was procedural and passed by roll call. The board did not vote on a long-term adoption of universal free meals; any continuation beyond the one-year pilot would require future board action and depend on reimbursement outcomes and budget impacts.

The board directed staff to submit the CEP application and return to the board with any further details or fiscal projections if the state approves the pilot.