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As the nation's eleventh largest school district, Dallas Independent School District serves more than 160,000 students who come from homes where 58 different languages are spoken.  Operating with a $1 billion dollar budget, DISD employs 18,613 employees including 10,000 teachers in 220 schools.

2001-02 SCHOOL MEAL GUIDELINES FOR DISD

27 Jul 2001

2001-02 SCHOOL MEAL GUIDELINES FOR DALLAS INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT

Students attending schools in the Dallas Independent School District for the 2001-2002 school year may apply for free and reduced-price meal benefits. Meal application forms will be distributed to all children on the opening day of school, along with a letter of explanation to households. Classes in the Dallas schools start Aug. 15.

In years past, a separate application form was needed for each child in the household. This school year, a household may submit one application for students attending each school. This marks a significant change. For example, three children in one household attending the same elementary school will complete only one application. If that same household also has two children attending one middle school, one additional application would be required because the other two children attend a different school.

Families will be notified of the eligibility of their children once a meal application has been submitted. In some cases, households will receive letters stating their household is eligible for free meals based on "direct certification" from the state.

Students in grades PreK-12 may buy breakfast for 50 cents and lunch for $1. If students wish to prepay for their meals, the lunches will be sold at a discounted price of 90 cents for elementary and 95 cents for secondary students.

Breakfast choices consist of fruit, juice, vegetable, milk and two other items. Lunch choices consist of an entrée, two side dishes and milk. A variety of choices will be available daily.

Household size and income criteria will be used to determine eligibility for free and reduced-price benefits. Those students who qualify for reduced-price meals will pay only 30 cents for breakfast and 40 cents for lunch.

Foster children who are the legal responsibility of a welfare agency or court also may be eligible for benefits regardless of the income of the household with whom they reside. Eligibility for the foster child is based on the child's income.

Households receiving food stamps or TANF only have to list their child's name and food stamp or TANF case number. An adult household member must sign the application.

Households that do not list a food stamp or TANF case number must list the names of all household members, the amount and source of the income received by each household member and the social security number of the adult household member who signs the application. If the adult member who signs the application does not have a social security number, that person must write the word "NONE". An adult household member must sign all applications.

Under the provisions of the free and reduced-price meal policy, food service clerks and school cafeteria supervisors or designees will review applications and determine eligibility. Parents or guardians dissatisfied with the ruling of the official may wish to discuss the decision with the reviewing official on an informal basis. Parents wishing to make a formal appeal for a hearing on the decision may make a request either orally or in writing to Dennis Barrett- Executive Director, 8900 Old Hickory Trail, Dallas, Texas 75237.

Households that list a food stamp or TANF case number must report when the household no longer receives these benefits. Other households approved for benefits based on income information must report increases in household income of over $50 per month or $600 per year and decreases in household size. Also, if a household member becomes unemployed or if the household size increases, the household should contact the school. Such changes may make the children of the household eligible for benefits.

In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, this institution is prohibited from discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability. To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call 202/720-5964 (voice and TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.