I. The principal of each school is responsible for determining whether students applying for free or reduced price meals are eligible under the income guidelines printed on the application. Each application must be signed by the principal or designee, dated and a notation made as to whether the application was approved for free meals, reduced price meals, or not approved.
II. The guidelines listed below are to be used in determining eligibility. Questions about unusual cases should be referred to the assistant director of food service.
A. Gross income is defined as "income of all family members before deductions for income taxes, employee's social security taxes, insurance premiums, bonds, etc."
B. Household is defined as "a group of related or non-related individuals, who are not residents of an institution or boarding house, but who are living as one economic unit and reside under one roof. Students who are temporarily away at school should be counted as family members."
C. To determine whether or not the student is eligible, compare reported family size and income with income levels printed on the application. If eligible, check the appropriate box for either free meals or reduced price meals. If the student is not eligible, check the box marked "Denied" and indicate reason. Sign in the space provided. Inform parent of your decision. All households must be notified of their eligibility status.
D. Applications may be submitted at any time during the year. If family size or income changes, a family may reapply.
E. Denial of the nutritional benefits of the national school lunch or the national school breakfast to any student in attendance at a school, as a disciplinary action, is clearly contrary to the intent and purpose of the programs as expressed in legislation.
Highline School District 401
Approved by the Superintendent: October 28, 1992