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Milford budgets $40,000 for unpaid school meal charges as legal rules change
Summary
Administration told the board it added a $40,000 unpaid‑meal debt line because food service can no longer absorb losses; current unpaid balances were reported at about $42,000 year‑to‑date and historical expenditures informed the request.
Administrators briefed the Milford Board of Education that the proposed FY26–27 budget includes $40,000 to cover unpaid school meal charges after state/federal flexibilities ended.
The presenter said temporary provisions that previously allowed the food service department to absorb unpaid meal debt are no longer available; a district must now budget those costs explicitly. Historical expenditures cited: $45,769 expended in 2022–23 and $60,274 expended in 2024–25, and administration reported roughly $42,000 in unpaid meal balances at the time of the workshop.
Board members asked how the district will support families who cannot pay. Administration said families may apply for free and reduced‑price meals (application required) and the district will use waivers, principal‑level interventions and coordination with social workers to assist families who cannot afford repair/repair charges or device insurance. Administration also said staff will escalate outreach (letters, calls) during a later collection season.
Board members noted that higher free/reduced lunch application rates also affect federal and Title I funding. Administration said if unpaid debt exceeds the budgeted $40,000, the general fund would need to cover any shortfall.
What’s next: The board signaled concern that $40,000 might be insufficient and asked administration to continue monitoring balances and outreach efforts before final budget adoption.
