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Board affirms no change to meal prices; district provides free lunches to all students
Summary
Officials said OPI review and district processes resulted in no change to meal prices and that the district provides free lunches for all students; trustees discussed how auto-qualifiers (SNAP/Medicaid) and counseling staff maintain other eligibility information needed by outside organizations.
The board approved meal prices for 2026 as presented after district staff and an OPI review determined no increase was required. "The meal prices didn't change," Carrie told trustees; the board moved and approved the action by voice vote.
Trustees sought clarity about the district's shift to universal free lunches and the implications for outside programs and scholarships that historically relied on free-and-reduced applications. Eric explained the district uses state "auto-qualifiers" (such as SNAP and Medicaid lists provided by OPI) to identify students who may qualify for other services and funding streams. A trustee asked whether not collecting free/reduced forms affects FAFSA or scholarship applications; staff said FAFSA is a separate application but some scholarships historically requested proof of free-and-reduced status and counselors still support students in those cases.
