Following July’s board meeting, the Coyle Public Schools Board of Education approved the adoption of the USDA’s Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) program. This initiative will ensure that all students in the district can receive free meals, regardless of their economic status, for the 2024-2025 school year.
An added benefit of this program is the elimination of the need to collect free/reduced child nutrition applications.
The CEP works by reimbursing the school system based on the number of students eligible for free meals through participation in means-based assistance programs such as SNAP. Recent adjustments by the USDA in late 2023 have made it easier for schools to qualify for the CEP by lowering the required number of eligible students.
Other school districts, including Mid-Del Public Schools, Tulsa Public Schools, and Sand Springs, will also benefit from this program this year.
“This took a lot of extra reports and paperwork, but it was worth the effort, and we are beyond grateful that every student can eat for free,” said Coyle Child Nutrition Directors Brandi Brown and Holly Sawatzky.
Superintendent Colby Cagle extended his thanks to every parent, Sean Cummings, Tom Ritter, and several anonymous donors who helped clear remaining student balances, allowing the district to qualify for this child nutrition program.
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