Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the School Meals topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
District eyes zero‑cost student meals for 2024‑25 if state approves Community Eligibility Provision
Summary
Administrators said New Milford is eligible for the state Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) for 2024‑25 and could offer zero‑cost meals to students if approved; the district currently reports about 34% of students on free/reduced meals and anticipates roughly 40% next year.
The New Milford Board of Education received an update July 16 on the district’s pursuit of a state Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) for school meals in 2024‑25 that could provide zero‑cost breakfast and lunch to all students.
Anthony Giovannone said the district used food‑service balance funds for 2023‑24 and that a state CEP application is pending for 2024‑25; a memo with notes from a meeting with Sandra Sullivan outlines the approval timeline. If the state approves the application, families and staff would be notified and the district could provide zero‑cost meal options without drawing on local operating funds.
Mrs. Wendy Faulenbach said the option is an opportunity to continue offering free meals and to extend savings to families. Giovannone explained the program “would not use local funds” and is funded through state resources. Dr. Janet Parlato said the district’s current percent of students eligible for free/reduced meals is about 34% and she expects that to rise to approximately 40% for 2024‑25. Administrators told the board they expect to know whether the application is approved by the end of July.
Why it matters: CEP can remove barriers to access by providing universal free meals in qualifying districts; program eligibility and state approval determine whether the district can offer the benefit without using local funds.
The board received the information and did not take an additional vote on CEP during the meeting.
