Wednesday, May 8, 2024
Lunch at Public Schools by DC Central Kitchen is licensed under CC BY 2.0.
Gatesville Independent School District announced its policy for providing free and reduced-price meals for children served under the attached current income eligibility guidelines.
Each school/site or the central office has a copy of the policy, which may be reviewed by anyone on request.
Starting on Aug. 7, Gatesville ISD will begin distributing letters to the households of the children in the district about eligibility benefits and any actions households need to take to apply for these benefits. Applications also are available online at www.gatesvilleisd.org.
Criteria for Free and Reduced-Price Meal Benefits
The following criteria will be used to determine a child’s eligibility for free or reduced-price meal benefits:
Income
Categorical (Automatic) Eligibility
Program Participant
3. Child’s status as a foster child, homeless, runaway, migrant, or displaced by a declared disaster.
4. Child’s enrollment in Head Start or Even Start.
Income Eligibility
For those households that qualify for free or reduced-price meals based on income, an adult in the household must complete an application for free and reduced-price meals and return it to (insert name, title, and contact information). Those individuals filling out the application will need to provide the following information:
1. Names of all household members.
2. Amount, frequency, and source of current income for each household member.
3. Last 4 digits of the Social Security number of the adult household member who signs the application or, if the adult does not have a social security number, check the box for “No Social Security number.”
4. Signature of an adult household member attesting that the information provided is correct.
Categorical or Program Eligibility
Gatesville ISD is working with local agencies to identify all children who are categorically and program eligible. Gatesville ISD will notify the households of these children that they do not need to complete an application. Any household that does not receive a letter and feels it should have should contact Emily Coward at (254) 865-7251, Option 5, or ecoward@gatesvilleisd.org. Any household that wishes to decline benefits should contact Emily Coward at (254) 865- 7251, Option 5, or ecoward@gatesvilleisd.org.
Applications may be submitted anytime during the school year. The information provided by households on the application will be used for the purpose of determining eligibility. Applications may also be verified by the school officials at any time during the school year.
Determining Eligibility
Under the provisions of the free and reduced-price meal policy, Emily Coward, Child Nutrition Specialist, will review applications and determine eligibility. Households or guardians dissatisfied with the Reviewing Official’s eligibility determination may wish to discuss the decision with the Reviewing Official on an informal basis. Households wishing to make a formal appeal for a hearing on the decision may make a request either orally or in writing to Dr. Barrett Pollard, Superintendent, at (254) 865-7251 or 311 S. Lovers Ln, Gatesville, TX 76528.
Unexpected Circumstances
If a household member becomes unemployed or if the household size increases, the household should contact the school. Such changes may make the children of the household eligible for benefits if the household’s income falls at or below the attached current income eligibility guidelines.
Community Eligibility Provision (CEP)
The Gatesville ISD Primary Campus announced today it will operate the Community Eligibility Program (CEP) under the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program for the 2023-2024 school year. Schools qualifying to operate CEP serve breakfast and lunch to all children at no charge and eliminate the collection of meal applications for free, reduced-price, and paid student meals. This approach reduces burdens for both families and school administrators and helps ensure that students receive nutritious meals.
For additional information please contact the following person:
Gatesville ISD
Attention: Emily Coward
Child Nutrition Specialist
311 S. Lovers Lane, Gatesville, TX 76528
254-865-7251, Option 5
ecoward@gatesvilleisd.org
