2016-17 Free and Reduced Price School Meals Application
School and district leaders at the Broadalbin-Perth Central School District are encouraging all district parents to complete the federal application for free or reduced-price school meals or milk, now available on the district website.
All students attending Broadalbin-Perth, in pre-K through grade 12, are eligible to receive school breakfast and lunch for free or for a reduced price of 25 cents per meal if they meet certain income thresholds set by the federal government.
During the 2015-16 school year, about 41 percent of B-P students participated in the program. Participating families must complete the application each year, within the first 30 days of the new school year, to continue participating in the program.
“Even if a family isn’t sure if their children are eligible, it’s important for them to complete the application,” said Superintendent of Schools Stephen Tomlinson. “Our percentage of students who receive free and reduced-price meals affects our state aid ratio, our level of state food subsidies, and our eligibility for many competitive grants.”
Tomlinson said that the district has taken steps to ensure the privacy of all students, whether they participate in the free and reduced-price meals program or pay full price for school meals. The district uses a point-of-sale system so all students enter their unique pin numbers at the end of the cafeteria line.
“Even if your child brings a lunch from home every day, it’s really worth the time it takes for you to complete the application,” Tomlinson said.