Marshall County School District last week announced its free and reduced lunch policy for the 2017-18 school year.
Any interested person may review a copy of the policy by contacting Beth Cunningham, Child Nutrition Director, 86 High School Road, Benton, KY 42025 phone 270-527-8628, email beth.cunningham@marshall.kyschools.us.
Household size and income criteria will be used to determine eligibility. Children from families whose income is at or below the levels shown may be eligible for Free or Reduced Price Meals. Applications can be filled out on-line at myschoolapps.com. A link can be found at Marshall County School District website, marshall.kyschools.us.. To apply for Free or Reduced Price Meals, households must complete the application and return it to the school. Only one application is required for all children in the household. Applications only need to be filled out at non CEP schools. (North Middle and Marshall County High School). If a family does not have access to a computer they may call the Marshall County Board of Education, and speak to Tina Bowling or Beth Cunningham for assistance. Phone 270-527-8628
An application cannot be approved unless it contains complete eligibility information:
Total household income listed by gross amount received, type of income (e.g., wages, child support, etc.) and how often the income is received by each household member;
Names of all household members;
Signature of an adult household member certifying the information provided is correct; and
The last four digits of the social security number of the adult signing the application or the word “NONE” for this household member if he or she does not have a social security number.
The information provided on the application will be used for the purpose of determining eligibility and may be verified at any time during the school year. Applications may be submitted at any time during the year.
For the purpose of determining household size, deployed military members are considered a part of the household. Families should include the names of the deployed service members on their application. Report only that portion of the deployed service member’s income made available to them or on their behalf to the family. Additionally, a housing allowance that is part of the Military Housing Privatization Initiative is not to be included as income.
Once approved, meal benefits are good for the current school year and up to 30 operating days into the next school year. When the carry-over period ends, unless the household is notified that their children are directly certified or the household submits an application that is approved, the children must pay full price for school meals. Households will not be sent a reminder or notice of expired eligibility. If a household member becomes unemployed or if the household size changes, the school should be contacted. Such changes may make the student eligible for reduced price or free meals.
All children in households that receive SNAP or KTAP are eligible for free meals. When known to Marshall County School District, households will be notified of their children’s eligibility for free meals if they are members of a household that receives SNAP or KTAP benefits. No application is necessary for these households. All children in these households are eligible for free meal benefits. If any child(ren) was not listed on the eligibility notice, the household should contact Marshall County School District, Beth Cunningham or Tina Bowling to have free meal benefits extended to that child(ren). If the household is not sure if their children have been directly, certified, they should contact the Board of Education.
For households not notified of children’s eligibility for free meals in which any household member receives SNAP or KTAP benefits, an application may be completed to receive free meals. Households are required to list on the application only the child’s name, SNAP / KTAP case number, and signature of adult household member. Categorical eligibility for free meals is extended to all children in a household when the application lists an Assistance Program’s case number for any household member.
Foster children are categorically eligible for free meals and will receive benefits based on information submitted on the household application or information received from an appropriate agency. Foster children may be included as a member of the foster family if the foster family chooses to also apply for benefits for other children. Including children in foster care as household members may help other children in the household qualify for meal benefits. If the foster family is not eligible for free or reduced price meal benefits, it does not prevent a foster child from receiving free meal benefits.
Children in households participating in WIC or who reside in households where parents or guardians become unemployed may be eligible for free or reduced price meals. Please fill out an application.
When known, Marshall County School District will notify households of any child’s eligibility for free meals if the individual child is Other Source Categorically Eligible because the child is categorized as homeless, migrant or runaway as defined by law or enrolled in an eligible Head Start, Even Start or pre-kindergarten class as defined in by law.
Household with children who are considered migrants, homeless, or runaway should contact the district liaison, Billy Thorpe at 270-527-8628 for assistance in receiving benefits. A household application may also be submitted with an indication of their Other Source Categorically Eligibility marked in the relevant box on the application.
Under the provisions of the Free and Reduced Price meal policy, Beth Cunningham, Child Nutrition Director, 270-527-8628, will review applications and determine eligibility. If a parent or guardian is dissatisfied with the ruling of the official, he or she may wish to discuss the decision with the determining official on an informal basis. If the parent wishes to make a formal appeal, he or she may make a request either orally or in writing to Trent Lovett, Superintendent, 86 High School Road, Benton, KY 42025, phone 270-527-8628}.
Any questions about the application process may be directed to Beth Cunningham, Child Nutrition Director, 270-527-8628.
In accordance with the Sponsor’s disclosure agreement, the information on the Free and Reduced Price Meal application may be used by the school system in determining eligibility for other educational programs. Households notified of their children’s eligibility must contact Marshall County School District if it chooses to decline the free meal benefits.
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The district also announced schools that will participate in the Community Eligibility Program for the 2017-18 year. The program, which allows for all students enrolled in participating schools regardless of household income to receive free breakfast and lunch throughout the year: Benton, Calvert City, Central, Jonathan, Sharpe and South elementary schools and South Marshall Middle School.