Series 3000: Business/Non-Instructional Operations

3542.31 Free or Reduced Price Lunches

Participation in the National School Lunch Program

Thomaston Public Schools authorizes participation in the National School Lunch Program and the National School Breakfast Program. Authorization is granted to the Superintendent, or designee, to act on behalf of the Thomaston Board of Education for purposes of participating in the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program.

Free and reduced priced meals will be served to children from families whose income falls within the USDA’s income eligibility guidelines. Income eligibility guidelines are updated annually as required by section 9 of the National School Lunch Act.

The District shall establish an appeals process under which a parent/guardian may appeal a decision regarding his/her initial application for benefits, or any subsequent reduction or termination of benefits.

The schools shall not physically segregate or discriminate against any child because of his or her inability to pay for a meal. The names of children eligible to receive free and reduced priced meals shall not be published, posted, or announced in any manner; and there shall be no overt identification of any such children by use of special tokens or tickets, or by any other means.

The district shall ensure that, in the operation of the free and reduced-price meals and the free milk program, no student shall be discriminated against because of race, color, age, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, ancestry, gender identity or expression, national origin, marital status, pregnancy or disability, or any other basis prohibited by law, in its implementation of such a program.

The district’s NSLP and SBP shall operate to meet dietary specifications in accordance with the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 and applicable state laws and regulations.

(cf. 3542.34 – Nutrition Program)

(cf. 3542.43 – Charging Policy)

(cf. 6142.101 – Student Nutrition and Physical Wellness, School Wellness)

Legal Reference:     Connecticut General Statutes

                                 10-215 Lunches, breakfasts and other feeding programs for public school children and employees.

                                 10-216 Payment of expenses.

                                  Title VII, Civil Rights Act, 42 U.S.C. 2000e, et seq. as amended by Title IX,

                                  Equal Employment Opportunity Act.3542.31(b)

                                 Business/Non-Instructional Operations

                                 Free or Reduced Price Lunches

                                 Participation in the National School Lunch Program

                                Legal Reference: Connecticut General Statutes (continued)

                                United States Department of Agriculture 7 C.F.R. 15, re nondiscrimination.

                                42 U.S.C. Sec. 1758, 7 CFR Part 145, Sec. 245.5, 245.6, 245.7, 210.9,

                                210.20

                               U.S.D.A., Eligibility Guidance for School Meals Manual

                               U.S.D.A., FNS Instruction 765-7 Rev. 2: Handling Lost, Stolen and Misused

                               Meal Tickets

                               Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010, 42 U.S.C. 1751 §§203, 205

                               Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Handicap in Programs or Activities

                               Receiving Federal Assistance, 7 C.F.R. Part 15b (2001)

Policy adopted:   October 19, 2015   THOMASTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS

POLICY REVISED & BOARD APPROVED:   June 14, 2021 Thomaston, Connecticut