Article: District Three Board Unanimously Votes to Enact Community Eligibility Provision

District Three Board Unanimously Votes to Enact Community Eligibility Provision

At the Spartanburg School District Three Board meeting on May 15, 2023, the District Three Board of Trustees unanimously voted to apply for the Community Eligibility Provision, which will allow District Three to provide a free breakfast and lunch to every student, every school day. If approved by the state, this will go into effect beginning with the 2023-2024 school year. The contract will initially be for four years and is renewable. The Community Eligibility Provision is an option given through the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) for school districts with a certain level of student population that qualifies for ‘free and reduced lunch.’ Due to a recent expansion of the criteria for eligibility, the USDA has identified our district as eligible for this program. “There have been many things that I have been proud to be part of during my tenure on the Board, and being a part of this decision is one of those moments,” Board Chairman Chris Jolley said. “Thanks to the guidance of Dr. Julie Fowler and her team, we are thrilled to be able to provide free meals to all our students for the next four years. I am so proud to serve with men and women who see the importance of caring for our children and the families of D3.” This program will eliminate the need for every student to fill out a ‘free and reduced lunch’ application each year, removes the stigma of receiving free lunches, and will help increase participation in school meals. But, most importantly, it allows our students to be healthy and well-fed at no cost to the student or parents. “This is a fantastic moment for District Three, and I am so grateful to the Board for an effortless vote to make this happen for our families,” Superintendent Dr. Julie Fowler said. “This is a win for everyone in our cafeterias, our schools, and our community.” The program will go into effect for District Three beginning in August 2023, at the beginning of the school year, pending State Department of Education approval.

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