Beginning with next school year, all district students eat free
Robbinsville – It might be the biggest win-win ever achieved between Graham County Schools and parents of the district’s students.
Thanks to the district’s qualification under the Community Eligibility Provision, not one single student – regardless of income level – will have to pay even a penny to enjoy breakfast or lunch at any of the system’s schools.
The free meals begin at the outset of the 2023-24 school calendar.
Graham County Schools Nutritional Director Denise Moody told the board of education at Tuesday’s meeting that the addition of Medicaid data into the request – something prohibited by North Carolina until this year – significantly helped the district’s chances this year. In past years, Moody said only data from programs like SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) was allowed, which prevented Graham County Schools from breaking the required 40-percent threshold.
Moody’s official announcement at Tuesday’s meeting was met with thunderous applause from those in attendance.
“This also helps put $200,000 back into our nutritional program,” said Moody, with Graham County Schools Superintendent Angie Knight explaining that the fluctuating costs of food and supplies always forces Graham County Schools to request additional funding just to cover the continued price tag.
“This year has been really bad,” Moody continued. “The price of food has went up so much, and then we have mandated raises and delivery fees that went from $2.25 a case to $6 a case.”
Graham County Schools will remain covered under the program through the 2027-28 cycle, when the district will have to re-apply for eligibility.
Operating under the umbrella of the National School Lunch Program, the Community Eligibility Provision factors those living on – or around – the poverty level. If the Identified Student Percentage for a system is over 40 percent, it qualifies for the provision.
Data provided at Tuesday’s Graham County Board of Education meeting showed the following numbers for each of the district’s three schools, which averages out to 66.15 percent:
* Robbinsville Elementary School: 346 of 522 enrolled students identified as eligible (66.28 percent);
* Robbinsville Middle School: 213 of 339 students identified as eligible (62.83 percent);
* Robbinsville High School: 170 of 241 eligible-students identified (70.54 percent).
Knight pointed out that the total savings for parents could reach $1,001,495.80.
“That’s huge,” Knight said. “That is disposable income that can go back into the community and back into those family’s pockets, which they can use for other necessities.”
Knight later said that Graham County Schools participates in a regional co-op with districts west of Asheville, which orders from the same vendor to help curb the cost of food and supplies.
* In next week’s edition of The Graham Star: other key items from Tuesday’s meeting will be recapped, including the renewal of a school-based health clinic contract and the vocal opposition of one board member.
Plus, test scores low at one school and students win competition.