The Shadow
LOW MOOR — Fifty-six percent of Alleghany County Public School students qualify for free or reduced price lunches and breakfasts.
Updated statistics presented to the school board Monday show that four of the five schools in the county exceed the 50 percent rate for free or reduced price meals.
For a student from a family of four to qualify for a free meal, the total household income must be $33,475 or less, which reflects 130 percent of federal poverty guidelines.
To qualify for a reduced price meal, a family of four must have an annual income of $47,638, or 185 percent of federal poverty guidelines.
“It is important to monitor this information as these free and reduced lunch students and the Medicaid eligible students comprise the economically disadvantaged subgroup of elementary and Secondary Education Act accountability,” Sherman Callahan, director of elementary instruction, said to the school board in a memorandum.
“In Title I schools, the free and reduced lunch rate also determines the kindergarten through third grade class size maximum for eligibility of Class Size Reduction funds,” Callahan said.
Title I funds are earmarked for schools with a high percentage of children from low-income families. The funds are designed to improve academic performance.
The percentage of students qualifying for free or reduce price meals in individual schools are:
— Alleghany High School, 41.10 percent.
— Clifton Middle School, 49.89 percent.
— Callaghan Elementary School, 52.25 percent.
— Mountain View Elementary School, 80.04 percent.
— Sharon Elementary, 64 .36 percent,
Callahan said the division average of 56.08 percent reflects a slight increase from last year.
All students at Mountain View and Sharon elementary schools receive breakfast and lunch free of charge under the Community Eligibility Provision.
The federal program works by reimbursing eligible public and private school systems and schools for serving meals free of charge to all students.
Schools qualify for CEP when a high percentage of their students qualify for free meals.
In October, USA Today reported that nearly 1 million low-income students may lose automatic access to free school lunches under a proposal from President Donald Trump’s administration that aims to limit the number of people receiving federal food stamps.
Kids whose families are on federal food stamps automatically get free lunch at school. A new government analysis has estimated 982,000 students would lose that qualification if the Trump plan passes, USA Today reported.
In other business during Monday’s meeting at Mountain View Elementary School, the school board:
— Presented Above and Beyond the Call of Duty Awards to Debra Palmer, who works as a custodian at Mountain View. The award was also presented to bus drivers who provide transportation to students at the school.
— Recognized the yearbook staff at Alleghany High School for earning a “first class distinction” from the Virginia High School League.
The award is given by the VHSL in recognition of “outstanding achievement in quality publications service to its school and community.”
Certificates of commendation were presented to: Josh Hagy, instructor; Jessica Atkins, Savanna Bayles, Isabelle Borduas, Evan Brown, Madison Brown, Tristan Brown, Allison Graham.
Kaylie Hampton, Alexis Haymaker, Olivia Hines, David Kahle, Aimee Krabbe, Justin Leitch, Alexis Porterfield, Abbey Reynolds and Kyndal Wright.
— Approved restroom renovations at AHS at a cost of $81,744. The contract will be awarded to R.L. Johnston Inc. of Covington. The work will take place during Christmas break.
— Approved Dec. 23 as a paid holiday for 12-month contract employees. The holiday will give the employees a full week off during Christmas.
“I think this gives our staff recognition for the hard work they have done,” said Superintendent Gene Kotulka.
