Friday, May 17, 2024
Lunch at Public Schools by DC Central Kitchen is licensed under CC BY 2.0.
GISDA federal program which allowed all Gatesville Independent School District students to eat free of charge on campus has expired, so those who do not qualify for free and reduced meals will have to pay for – or charge – their lunches.
Emily Coward, a child nutrition specialist for the district, recently updated members of the GISD Board of Trustees on suggested changes to the school meal policy for the 2022-23 school year.
Because all students had been able to get free meals previously, the district has not had a charge policy in place and Coward said each campus had its own policy on a cap for school lunch charges. The intermediate school had the highest cap at $43.50, which Coward said was too difficult to collect from multiple students' parents at the end of the school year.
"Other districts, such as Belton and Salado, limit (meal) charges to $10," she said. "It's a lot easier to collect $10 per student at the end of the year than $43.50 per student."
Students who have reached their charge limit will still be able to receive a lunch, but the choice of foods will be limited. Coward had proposed an alternate meal of vegetables and fruit, which led to concerns and discussion among board members.
"You have to offer an alternate meal and I recommend doing a fruit and veggie tray and milk rather than offering pizza or a burger," Coward said.
Asked about keeping parents informed of a student's inability to charge lunches when they reach their limit, Coward said emails are sent out to notify parents, and the district does not wait until a student has "maxed out" his or her account.
She said parents are also encouraged to fill out applications so that students who qualify for free or reduced price meals will be able to receive them.
Board member Mary Anne Leib asked what options might be available to provide students with a more substantial meal beyond a veggie and fruit tray with milk. Peanut butter and jelly was one sandwich option that was suggested. However, because of peanut allergies, that cannot be offered. Coward said one possibility is to offer a sun butter sandwich – made of sunflower seed butter. However, that option would result in an added cost for the district and its food vendor.
A representative from that food vendor, SFE, said she did not want any students to go hungry and the company would abide with whatever decision the district makes.
Board member Linda Maxwell said she saw both sides, while board member Jimmie Ferguson said he thought the fruit and veggie tray with milk was sufficient.
Asked for staff input, Gatesville Junior High Principal Suzy Penrod voiced her concerns.
"We have hungry kids," she said, adding that she would prefer to see them be able to eat more substantive meals. She added that some of the students don't eat much unless it is at school, and come back to campus on Monday after being hungry over the weekend.
After further discussion, the board voted to approve an alternate meal for students that consisted of a sun butter sandwich if they chose it, along with fruit, a vegetable and milk.
