From the Bluffton Exempted Village Schools: Due to a new state law passed this summer, "reduced price" meals for qualifying students will be free this year.

To apply for Free and Reduced Meals, please go to www.blufftonschools.org/ and click on payschools central. Once you log into your account, the application should pop up on your screen. Please call the office with any questions 419-358-4871.

FROM THE OHIO DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

The Ohio Department of Education has announced that the State of Ohio FY24-FY25 biennial budget includes funding to cover the cost of providing no-cost breakfast and no-cost lunch to students qualifying for reduced-price meals. Starting in school year 2023-2024, the budget language requires public and chartered nonpublic schools that participate in the National School Breakfast or Lunch Program to provide a breakfast or lunch at no cost to each student eligible for a reduced-price breakfast or lunch.

The state will then reimburse the schools 30 cents per reduced-price breakfast served and 40 cents per reduced-price lunch served. On the effective date of Oct. 3, 2023, the budget bill requires all participating schools to provide the no-cost meal to each eligible student although schools may and are encouraged to start the school year without collecting money from reduced-price students.

Schools will continue to certify students for free or reduced meals and count and claim meals as free, reduced or paid. Schools simply will not collect money from reduced-price eligible students starting in school year 2023-2024. The Department will share additional updates as the process for reimbursing schools for the reduced-price breakfasts and lunches served is finalized.