CHIPLEY, Wash.—The Washington County School District has formally decided to amend its school lunch policy and opt out of the Community Eligibility Option (CEO), a U.S. Department of program that allowed schools to provided meals to all students, regardless of household income, at no charge if at least 40 percent of enrolled students are low income.
School board members decided to make the program countywide last year, but now explain it has come at an expense - costing the school board and taxpayers about $100,000 during the 2013-2014 school year.
"We thought it was going to be a 'break even' situation and even save us on administrative costs," said School Superintendent Joseph Taylor. "Instead, the USDA reimbursement (left us with a shortfall.)"