SIDNEY – Schools across the county areannouncing the 2022-23 program year policy for free and reduced-price meals for students unable to pay the full price of meals served under the National School Lunch and School Breakfast, After School Care Snack. Each school office and the central office has a copy of the policy, which may be reviewed by any interested party.
For the past two years, federal and state authorities have waived school meal costs due to the pandemic, however, that has unfortunately expired. Families will be required to pay for school meals again for the 2022-23 school year.
Sidney City Schools meal prices are: Breakfast is $1 for grades K-5 and $1.50 for grades 6-12; Lunch is $2.45 for grades K-5 and $2.70 for grades 6-12. Some children may qualify for free meals or reduced-price meals. The reduced price is free for breakfast and 40 cents for lunch for Sidney students.
Anna Local School meal prices are Anna Elementary: $2.35; and Anna Middle School/High School: $2.60.
Botkins Local School lunch prices for students are kindergarten to sixth grade, $2.30; and seventh to 12th grade, $2.70.
Russia Local School prices are kindergarten to sixth grade, $2.25; and seventh to 12th grade, $2.50.
Versailles Schools lunch prices are $2.75 for students in grades K-6, and $2.90 for students in grades 7-12. Specialty line prices have not been determined yet.
New Bremen Schools lunch prices for K-6 students is $2.90 and 7-12 grade students is $2.95. Milk is 40 cents.
Jackson Center Schools lunch prices for K-3 grade students is $2.35 and for grades 4-12 prices are $2.60 each. Ala cart lunches for students is $2.75.
New Knoxville Schools lunch prices for K-3 is $2.30 and grades 4-12 is $2.40 with extra milk set at 40 cents.
Fairlawn Schools offers breakfast for students for $1.50. Lunch prices are $2.30 for grades K-8 and $2.80 for grades 9-12.
If approved for reduced meals, students pay 40 cents per lunch.
The Federal Income Eligibility Guidelines will be used for determining eligibility. Children from families whose annual income is at or below the Federal Guidelines are eligible for free and reduced-price meals.
Applications for the School’s Free and Reduced-Priced Meal program are distributed to all homes in a letter to parents or guardians who have not been directly certified to receive free school meals. To apply for free and reduced-price benefits, households should fill out the application and return it to the school. Additional copies are available at the principal’s office in each school. A complete application is required. Households that currently receive Special Nutrition Assistance Program Benefits (SNAP, formally known as food stamps) or Ohio Works First (OWF) funds for a child must provide the child’s name, the SNAP or OWF case number, and the signature of an adult household member on the application. Households that do not receive SNAP or OWF funds must provide the names of all household members, the last four digits of the Social Security Number of the adult signing the application, or state “none” if the adult does not have a Social Security Number, the amount and source of income received by each household member, (state the monthly income) and the signature of an adult household member. If any of this information is missing, the school cannot process the application. An application can also be submitted online at: www.LunchApplication.com.
FREE HEALTH CARE: Families with children eligible for school meals may be eligible for free health care coverage through Medicaid and/or Ohio’s Healthy Start & Healthy Families programs. These programs include coverage for doctor visits, immunizations, physicals, prescriptions, dental, vision, mental health, substance abuse, and more. Please call 1-800-324-8680 for more information or to request an application. Information can also be found on the web at http://jfs.ohio.gov/ohp/consumers/familychild.stm. Anyone who has an Ohio Medicaid card is already receiving these services.
The information provided on the application is confidential and will be used only for the purpose of determining eligibility and may be verified at any time during the school year by the school or other program officials. To discourage the possibility of misrepresentation, the application forms contain a statement above the space for signature certifying that all information furnished is true and correct. Applications are being made in connection with the receipt of federal funds. Schools or other officials may check the information on the application at any time during the school year. Deliberate misrepresentation of information may subject the applicant to prosecution under applicable state and federal laws.
Households will be notified of the approval or denial of benefits.
Foster children are categorically eligible for free meal benefits regardless of the household’s income. If a family has foster children living with them and wishes to apply for such meals or milk for them, contact the school for more information.
Under the provision of the policy, Shamara Foy, Director of Food Services, will review applications and determine eligibility. If a parent or guardian disagrees with the decision on the application or the result of verification, the decision may be discussed with the determining official on an informal basis. If a formal appeal is desired, the household has the right to a fair hearing. A fair hearing can be requested either orally or in writing from Bob Humble, Superintendent, 750 S. Fourth Ave., Sidney, Ohio 45365, 937-497-2200.
The policy contains an outline of the hearing procedure.
Households may apply for benefits any time during the school year. If a household is not currently eligible and if the household size increases or income decreases because of unemployment or other reasons, the family should contact the school to file a new application. Such changes may make the children of the family eligible for free or reduced-price benefits if the family income falls at or below the levels shown above.
The U.S Department of Agriculture prohibits discrimination against its customers, employees, and applicants for employment on the bases of race, color, national origin, age, disability, sex, gender identity, religion, reprisal, and where applicable, political beliefs, marital status, familial or parental status, sexual orientation, or all or part of an individual’s income is derived from any public assistance program, or protected genetic information in employment or in any program or activity conducted or funded by the Department. (Not all prohibited bases will apply to all programs and/or employment activities.)
If you wish to file a Civil Rights program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, found online at www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, or at any USDA office, or call 866-632-9992 to request the form. You may also write a letter containing all of the information requested in the form. Send your completed complaint form or letter to us by mail at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Director, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410, by fax (202) 690-7442 or by email at [email protected].
Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339; or (800) 845-6136 (Spanish).
USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
