Free Meals Back At All Vernon Schools ... Sort Of

VERNON, CT — A week after sending out a reminder that free school meals will not be offered at four schools for the 2023-24 academic year, Vernon officials have now been told the state will fund them once again after replenishing the grant.

Well, sort of.

Gov. Ned Lamont and Education Commissioner Charlene M. Russell-Tucker today announced plans to expand Connecticut's free school meals program for the 2023-2024 school year.

Under the plan, $16 million of funding the state received from the American Rescue Plan Act will be invested into the program. Funds will be utilized to support the provision of meals at no cost in the following ways:

• All students in non-Community Eligibility Provision schools participating in the federal School Breakfast Program will be able to receive breakfast meals at no cost, including day students within residential childcare institutions. Approximately 114 districts participating in the SBP are eligible to receive this funding serving an estimated 177,243 eligible students.
• Students who are eligible for reduced-price meals in non-CEP schools participating in the federal National School Lunch Program will be able to receive lunch at no cost, including day students within residential childcare institutions. Approximately 128 districts participating in the NSLP are eligible to receive this funding, serving an estimated 13,197 eligible students.

The investment results from collaborative advocacy between the Governor's Office, the Connecticut State Department of Education, legislative leaders, and strategic school nutrition partners, Lamont said.

How does it translate in Vernon?

Superintendent of Schools Joseph Macary said all students at Maple Street, Northeast and Skinner Road schools will continue receive free and reduced meals because of the high percentage of students qualifying already by government standards. The program is not connected to the grant announced Monday.

Students at Center Road School, Lake Street School, Vernon Center Middle School and Rockville High School who qualify for free and reduced meals will continue to do so under the same program that utilizes federal income guidelines, Macary said.

Those who don't will get breakfast under the extended program announced Monday by the governor.

"I'm happy about it," Macary said. "I wish it were everything, but we'll take advantage of it."

Macary said students can grab a breakfast in the morning and either eat it right away or save the meal for lunchtime.