A pilot program the dramatically extends free lunches in public schools will soon cover 27 schools in Fayette County.
On Wednesday, students who return to Booker T. Washington Elementary, Bryan Station High, and a long list of other schools will be able to opt in to the national lunch program – even without qualifying for federal assistance.
One Fayette County school took part in a pilot version of the program five years ago, but now it’s being officially implemented district-wide. Under the new rules, any school with at least 40 percent of its students directly certified for federal assistance will have the option of offering free meals to every student.
Michelle Coker, director of child nutrition for FCPS, says the program will not put any added strain on the already-strapped school system.
"This is through the nation school lunch program, which is all federally-funded," she says.
And the results could be helpful for pocketbooks across the country. Families of middle and high school students paying the full amount for their child’s meals could see a savings of over $680 in savings a year.
In all, the total savings for the 27 schools could top $2M thanks to the federally-funded program.
Participating schools include:
- Elementary Schools: Arlington, Booker T. Washington Primary Academy, Booker T. Washington Intermediate Academy, Breckinridge, Cardinal Valley, Deep Springs, Dixie, Harrison, James Lane Allen, Julius Marks, Lansdowne, , Mary Todd, Millcreek, Northern, Russell Cave, Southern Elementary, Tates Creek Elementary, William Wells Brown, and Yates.
- Middle Schools: Bryan Station Middle, Crawford Middle, Leestown Middle and Winburn Middle
- High Schools: Bryan Station High
- Special Programs: Lexington Day Treatment, Martin Luther King Academy, and The Stables,
