Schools hope to prevent lunch flap

This year, the district adds extra steps in the process of notifying families about the free and reduced-cost lunch rules.

By BARBARA BEHRENDT

© St. Petersburg Times, published August 8, 2000

INVERNESS -- Shirley Greene hopes that this year she can avoid the food fight.

Shortly after the start of school last year, Greene, director of the school system's food service program, found herself embroiled in a controversy that stretched all the way to Tallahassee.

When a grace period ran out in September, dozens of students whose parents hadn't filled out new forms for free and reduced-price lunches had their meals taken away from them in the lunch line and pitched in the trash. The students instead were given peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.

Many people attacked the district's policies, and Education Commissioner Tom Gallagher stepped into the fray, urging the school system to find another way to resolve the problem.

Part of the argument was that parents didn't know the previous year's forms expired and they needed new forms filled out for the discounted meal deal to continue. This year, Greene is trying to erase that excuse by adding some extra steps to the process.

Last week, more than 12,000 letters went out to every family in the school district. The letter explained how the free and reduced-price lunch system works and contained information about what income level a family must have to qualify. Applications were also included.

New to the packet this year was a special, separate notice. In bold letters, it explained that those students who previously had free or reduced-price lunches must fill out a new form. The old forms expire on Sept. 25. After that, students must pay full price.

But the district isn't stopping there.

At the end of this month, school principals will be given the lists of those children whose families were eligible for the special program last year but who have not yet filled out their forms.

The schools will then choose how to notify parents that forms must be completed by that Sept. 25 deadline.

A new step has also been added to the process. Ten days before that deadline, a notice will be mailed to parents who still haven't filled out the forms.

Once the deadline passes and because of a change made by the School Board last year, elementary-age children will be able to charge up to three meals. Older students will be eating peanut butter and jelly if they want it once that deadline passes and they don't pay for a full meal.

Greene said she is hopeful that the new system would solve the problem.

"I think it will, just by the early response we've gotten so far with applications back in this week," she said.

By Monday, the district had already received between 150 and 175 applications, more than usual at this point, she said.

About 40 percent of the school district's roughly 15,000 students are eligible for the federally funded school lunch program. Eligibility is based on income and family size.

Notices reminding families about the program have also been placed at major employers in the area including the hospitals and Florida Power, as well as in the unemployment office and the Citrus County Health Department.

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