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By Jerry Curry, Staff Writer
Salem Community Schools announced free breakfasts and lunches for all the students during the next school year.
The question an individual may ask is, “how is this possible?” It not a simple answer. It is the result of a combination of several different government programs.
The program is a part of Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) which is alternative to collecting, approving, and verifying household eligibility applications for free and reduced-price meals for eligibility students in high poverty situations that are enrolled in a local educational agencies (LEAs) that qualifiy for consideration to participate in the National School Lunch and School Breakfast programs. They must go by the following protocol. The USDA looks at the number of directly certified students in the school system.
If the family gets SNAP, TENF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) or Medicaid Free this makes the child a directly certified student. Automatically any child that is homeless, migrant farm worker or a foster child is a directly certified student.
Free meals are calculated by this percentage number and then multiplied by 1.6% to get the percentage of students that qualify for free lunches. An example would be if 40% of the students were directly certified then 64% would get free lunches. The reimbursement is $4.33 per meal. If the percentage was 63% x 1.65 would be 100%. The Salem school system presently stands at these figures Elementary 55.7%, Middle school 65% and high school at 41.2%.
The thinking here is if this many are in need of help how can we help the rest? Filling the price gap is 48 cents, again from the USDA.
The Salem Community Nutrition Program Is totally funded and self-sufficient and does not receive any local tax dollars or any funds from the school budget.
No child has not been fed lunch at Salem Schools in a long time. Some times teachers, staff or cafeteria workers would pick up the tab in the past.
The Department of Defense helps in many ways for example they give the $0.36 ½ per meal fed.
Before the free breakfast and lunch program, a supplemental lunch was $2.60. This would be more without government programs. The government figures for lunch are $4.33 per meal.
A big help in this deficit is commodities and procurement. An example of this is if the USDA gave you raw chicken, then they may make a deal with a company like Tyson to make the school chicken nuggets, a child’s favorite dish. The same goes for Red Gold tomatoes. The school system can also buy commodities valued at $80,000 (raw food commodities) for $25,000. This money may come from the government from either the USDA or Department of Defense. Another venue is the State of Indiana may have a surplus of food that they give away if someone changes an order. This example could be if they decide their students don’t like a certain can food.
It’s quite a balancing act for Karen Libka, the school Food Service Director.
Libka said, “I am a math person and our goal is to feed the children.” She credits her staff of 35 to 40 for their thrifty ways. She says you have to order and prepare enough food but not over-order.
This program guarantees that every child is fed a nutritious breakfast and lunch.
EVANSVILLE, IN (05/15/2024)-- Students at the University of Evansville are named to the Dean's List every fall and spring semester. To merit the honor of being placed on the Dean's List, a student must have carried a full academic load of 12 hours or more and have earned a grade point average of 3.5 or above. The following local students have achieved Dean's List Honors:
Hannah Fleenor of Salem (47167)
Kaleb Tucker of Salem (47167)
Ella Heavin of Salem (47167)
The University of Evansville is a private, comprehensive university located in the southwestern region of Indiana. Established in 1854, UE is recognized across the globe for its rich tradition of innovative, academic excellence and vibrant campus community of changemakers.
Home of the Purple Aces, UE offers over 75 majors, 17 Division I sports, and a unique study abroad experience at Harlaxton, the University's very own Victorian manor located in the countryside of England. For more information, please visit evansville.edu.
SNHU Announces Winter 2024 President's List
MANCHESTER, NH-- It is with great pleasure that Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) congratulates the following students on being named to the Winter 2024 President's List. The winter terms run from January to May.
Full-time undergraduate students who have earned a minimum grade-point average of 3.700 and above for the reporting term are named to the President's List. Full-time status is achieved by earning 12 credits over each 16-week term or paired 8-week terms grouped in fall, winter/spring, and summer.
Sarah Gregerson of Salem
Carly Barnett of Vallonia
Salem School Board
There was plenty to think about and consider at the Salem School Board meeting Monday night. The board opened their meeting by presenting ROAR Awards to the Disney Club at Salem High School, BSE Math Bowl Team, National History Day State Qualifiers, Math Counts, and John Hopkins.
APPROVED: minutes of the Executive and Regular Session of the April 15, 2024 School Board Meeting, agenda, claims to date.
APPROVED: the personnel and ECA recommendations
Amy Abner as the 6th grade digital citizenship teacher, Angela Snelling as the SMS health teacher beginning 2024-25 school year, Mallory Myers as the SMS health teacher beginning 2024-25 school year.
APPROVED: the new hires of Whitney Bowers as BSE corporation nurse and Kaleb Ravellette as vehicle maintenance assistant
APPROVED: the resignations of Adam Brock as IT specialist, Michele Burton as BSE teacher, Jerry Hickey as SHS assistant principal; last day June 1, 2024, Christine Mahuron as SHS counselor, Janine Terrell from full time cafe position to sub position, Rebecca Braid as cafe worker and bus monitor, Danielle Schocke as BSE instructional assistant, Gina Wientjes from BSE cafe, Autumn Gray as SMS teacher, Felicity Jones as SHS custodian.
APPROVED: the retirement of Troy Albert as SHS principal and Martha S. Deisch as SCS Bus Driver, but will remain a sub driver
APPROVED: Caitlin Ellis and Gwen Dowling for maternity leave
APPROVED: SHS summer school teachers: Frank Myszak, John Heavin, Todd Alexander and Brian Glesing
APPROVED: SHS, SMS, BSE high ability summer school teachers: Crystal Mikels, Emily Johnson, Jessica Morgan, John Calhoun and Lisa Nice
APPROVED: Emily Johnson and Crystal Mikels for stipends from K-12 Robotics Grant, Jamie Malloy for High Ability stipend, Savannah Goss for McKinney Vento Stipend
DONATIONS: Consider Approval of the following donations:
$1,000 mini grant donation from Washington County Substance Abuse Council to SADD
$250.00 donation to BPA from the Law Office of Church, Langdon, Lopp & Banet LLC for BPA National Conference
$100.00 from Dwayne Guenther Farm Bureau Insurance for BPA National Conference
$250.00 from Eddie Gilstrap Motors to Salem Golf Team
ACTION ITEMS: Consider appointments to the Washington County Community Foundation Board, Approved Steve Hunt
Consider approval of a gift from the 50 Year Class 1974
Consider approval to add Salem High School to the CEP Program
Consider approval of the Handbooks for BSE, SMS, SHS for the 2024-2025 school year
Consider approval of revising the Volunteer Policy #8120
Consider approval of the LifeSpring Health System Agency for 24-25
Consider approval of the LifeSpring Health Care Clinic for 24-25
First reading of the Wireless Communication Policy #5136, Therapy Dog Policy #8390, Proof of Residency Policy #5111, Metal Detector Policy #5517
Consider approval of an affidavit for payment
Consider approval of an overnight and out of state trip to Walt Disney World, Orlando, Florida on March 19-25, 2025 for the Disney Club
Consider approval of a resolution to transfer funds to the Education Fund
Consider approval of the SHS 2024/25 textbook adoptions and orders
Consider approval of the BSE science adoption
Consider approval of the SMS book adoption
FUNDRAISERS: Salem HS Boys Soccer- Summer 2024 for new equipment
Disney Club-Car Wash June 15, 2024 to raise money for Disney trip
Disney Club Calendar Fundraiser September 2024 to raise money for Disney trip
Disney Club Halloween Party for elementary students. Date TBD
The next school board meeting is June 10, 2024
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Latest Washington County Mugshots
The following individuals were arrested recently by local law enforcement agencies. Those listed, in most cases, are just facing charges at this point, and are to be considered innocent of those charges unless and until proven guilty in a court of law. Charges are often dropped or lessened. Mugshots are collected from local law enforcement agencies on Mondays and are public records.