The Excelsior Springs School District has released its revised free and reduced-price policy for the 2022-23 school year. This policy is for school children unable to pay the full price of meals served in schools under the National School Lunch Program and the School Breakfast Program.

Government funding that supplied free breakfast and lunches to students in the past will no longer be available in the coming school year. It’s important that families who require financial assistance with food service fill out an application for the new year. Applications will be available at the school office during registration which opens on July 15, 2022.

A household of two earning less than $23,803 annually qualify for free lunch. That same house hold on an annual income of $33,874 or less qualify for reduced-price meals. Similarly, a household of five earning $42,211 or less annually qualify for free meals, or earning $60,070 or less qualify for reduced-price meals, according to district information.

To apply, fill out a Free and Reduced-Price School Meals Family Application and return it to the school.

Foster children may be eligible regardless of the income of the household with whom they reside. Households with children who are eligible under the foster, Head Start, homeless, migrant, or runaway programs should contact the school for assistance in receiving meal benefits. WIC participants and children of households currently certified as receiving Food Stamps, TANF or FDPIR are eligible for free meals. Eligibility and verification of income must first be determined after applying for assistance, but the school district will answer any questions a family might have during the application process.

Information provided on the application is confidential and will be used only for the purpose of determining eligibility. A complete application includes: 1) household income from all sources or Food Stamp/TANF case number, 2) names of all household members, and 3) the signature and last four digits of the Social Security number or indication of no Social Security number of the adult household member signing the application.

If a family member becomes unemployed or if family size changes, the family should contact the school to file a new application. Such changes might make the children of the family eligible for these benefits. Even though applications become available July 15, a family may decide to apply at any time during the school year.

Administrative Assistant Valerie Allenbrand will review the applications and determine eligibility. If a parent is dissatisfied with the ruling of the determining official, they may discuss the decision informally with the hearing official, or he/she may make a request either orally or in writing to Jaret Tomlinson, deputy superintendent.