Thanks to some guideline changes in community eligibility provision, all Owensboro High School and Owensboro Innovation Academy students will receive a no cost breakfast and lunch this upcoming school year. OPS students preschool through eighth grade and Gateway Academy students already receive a no cost breakfast and lunch.
“I can’t describe how much this will benefit our high school students. For students who were paying the reduced amount before, hopefully this will allow them to fulfill other needs they have,” said Lisa McCarty, Chief Operating Officer for HR and Support Services.
The funding for providing the no cost breakfast and lunch comes from the United States Department of Agriculture. Owensboro Public Schools began offering no cost breakfast and lunch to Hager Preschool and all OPS elementary schools in 2011. OPS phased in offering no cost breakfast and lunch to middle school students in 2013.
“We are thankful to our partners at the federal level, including the Department of Agriculture and our delegation in Congress for their continued support of the community eligibility option making this possible for our students. Being able to provide a no cost breakfast and lunch to all of our students is a game changer for Owensboro Public Schools. At OPS, we have a responsibility to not only provide an innovative education to our students, but also meet their basic needs. Providing two quality meals a day will help do that,” said Dr. Nick Brake, OPS Superintendent.
