Free Meals For Southington Pupils Until Winter, School Board Says

SOUTHINGTON, CT — Like many school districts, Southington schools are preparing for the time later this year when school meals will no longer be free to all.

In recent years, due to the pandemic, federal American Rescue Plan Act dollars have been utilized by many districts to offer free school meals to all students, regardless of any income restrictions.

Starting this year, however, ARPA cash is not available as school systems transition to a post-pandemic world.

At Southington's school board meeting in August, school board member Zaya Oshana said Southington will be able to fund free meals until January/February.

After that, he said school meals will, again, be paid for by the students' parents/guardians.

To help transition school districts to regular, paid school meals, the state Department of Education has allotted so-called "SMART" funds for school districts, including Southington.

SMART is an acronym for "School Meals Assistance Revenue for Transition," and it is aimed to give school districts like Southington time to prepare for when families will have to pay for meals gain.
Oshana said Southington received $633,164 to fund free meals for all until mid-winter.

Notifications to parents are expected soon regarding the situation.

As with all school districts, qualifying families based on income needs will still receive free or reduced-price school meals.

For the minutes of the Aug. 11 Southington Board of Education meeting, click on this link.