The Manitowoc Public School District is entering into a dinner program to help feed students.
The school board voted unanimously to approve the proposal at their Tuesday (July 8th) meeting.
According to district documents, the federal National School Lunch after-school snack reimbursement rate is very poor for MPSD, meaning they haven’t gotten much money back from it.
The dinner pilot program at Jefferson and Washington schools would coincide with after-school programs and try to increase participation in after-school activities.
Superintendent Lee Thennes called the program a brilliant move as they try to reduce the gap in their deficit.
The district would get full reimbursement through the dinner program since it’s funded through CEP, or the Community Eligibility Program.
Thennes noted, “As much as you can get, if you do decide to move forward with CEP, meaning to subsidize it from (Fund) 10, the smaller the deficit can be, makes it more feasible.”
MPSD worked with the Menasha Area Public School District, which also offers a similar program for its students.
Director of Dining Services Amanda Estel said that the district is expecting about 50 students to participate in the dinner program at both schools.
Student-athletes at both schools could also join the dinner program.
It will get underway this next school year and could be implemented at more schools in the future.
