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ADMINISTRATIVE LETTER: 1
POLICY CODE: EF
TO: Superintendents
of Schools/Private School Administrators
FROM: J. Duke Albanese, Commissioner
DATE:
July
17, 2000
SUBJECT: School Nutrition and Food Distribution Programs Agreements,
School Nutrition Applications
Welcome to the 2000-01 school year and thank you once again for working with us to offer high quality nutritious and appealing meals to all Maine students. Please join us in preparing for this school year by reviewing the following information.
1)
Program Agreement
a)
Please
complete and return the enclosed Policy Statement by August 14, 2000.
b)
The
program application will be available and completed by each local district on
the Internet. Both forms must be completed and submitted to the School
Nutrition Program, Department of Education, prior to receiving payment of a
claim for reimbursement.
2) Reimbursement
Rates for the 2000-01 School Year
The following are Federal
reimbursement rates for student breakfast, lunch, milk, and after school
snacks:
|
|
|
|
Severe Need |
|
After School |
|
|
Lunch |
Breakfast |
Breakfast |
Milk |
Snack |
|
Paid |
$ .1900 |
$ .2100 |
$ .2100 |
$ .1300 |
$ .0500 |
|
Reduced Price |
$1.6200 |
$ .8200 |
$1.0300 |
N/A |
$ .2700 |
|
Free |
$2.0200 |
$1.1200 |
$1.3300 |
COST |
$ .5500 |
Public schools will receive $.03 State reimbursement per lunch in addition to the Federal reimbursement.
3)
Food Distribution
Program
The donated commodity entitlement will be $.15 for 2000-01 school year.
4) Provision of
Meals by or for Other Organizations
Please submit a copy of all
contracts to the Food Service Division of the Maine Department of Education for
approval under Federal regulations. If
your school food service is providing meals to or receiving meals from another
school administrative unit, a non-profit agency, any other administrative unit,
or any other organization, your contracts need approval from this Department. A
checklist which includes all regulation changes to date is available to assist
you in developing contracts with other agencies. Please contact Walter Beesley at 287-3929 or 287-5315 or
e-mail: walter.beesley@state.me.us for the checklist specific to your
contracting situation.
5)
Application for
Free and Reduced Price Meals and Free Milk (SNP-15 and SNP-15M)
Printed applications are not
available from this office. Each School
Administrative Unit must print a sufficient number of applications to cover the
projected student enrollment.
Enclosed are "camera
ready" copies of each side of the Application for School Meals and one set
for Free Milk. Should you need
applications in other languages please contact Mary Moody at (207) 287-3927 or
e-mail mary.moody@state.me.us. Please
be reminded that applications need to be printed front and back. Applications will also be available on the
Department of Education Web site: http://state.me.us/education and may be downloaded.
Each set is separated by a sample
form printed front and back on colored paper.
DO NOT print your forms from
the samples as they will reproduce poorly.
6)
Predetermination of Students for Free Meals or Milk
Letters of notification of
predetermined eligibility for free meals or free milk will be mailed to
households the second week of August.
Students who have a pre-approval letter do not need to fill out a free
and reduced price application.
7)
Verification
of Free and Reduced Price Meals
Federal law requires that
verification of applications for free and reduced price meals under the School
Nutrition Program be completed by December 15, 2000. This process is to verify the accuracy of information submitted
by the applicant. School districts
undertake the verification process at the local level and submit the attached
report to the Maine Department of Education by December 20, 2000.
8)
Charges to Children
The student lunch rate remains unchanged for the 2000-01 school
year. The maximum rate is $1.50 for
elementary students and $1.70 for high school students.
9)
Program
Application and Electronic Filing for 2000
The yearly program
application will be completed electronically.
The information will be entered by district staff. Local staff completing the application and
monthly claim form will need an ID and password to access the electronic School
Food Service Recording (SFSR) System located at: http://www.maine.gov/education/sfsrl.htm
.
The legal agent
(Superintendent or Headmaster) will electronically approve the
application. For any questions or
additional information, please contact:
Nanci Kittredge 207-287-5316
or e-mail: nancy.kittredge@state.me.us .
10)
School Policy on Handling Lost, Stolen or Misused Meal Tickets and
Charging Meals
Schools need to establish a separate written
policy regarding lost, stolen and replacement of tickets that provides for
equal treatment to children in all meal payment or eligibility groups.
Enclosures:
Letters
to parents -- Meals
Milk French
Notification
of Eligibility Determination for
Milk Only
Verification Report
(Appendix 18)
Guidelines for School Policies on Handling Lost, Stolen or Misused Tickets and Charging Meals
For additional information please contact:
· Walter Beesley, Education Specialist, School Nutrition Programs, 207-287-3929 or e-mail: walter.beesley@state.me.us.
· Mary Moody, Education Specialist, School Nutrition Programs, 207-287-3927 or e-mail: mary.moody@state.me.us.
· Judith Malcolm, Policy Director/Team Leader School Support Systems 207-287-8951 or e-mail: judith.malcolm@state.me.us.
· Anne Littlefield, Commodity Administrator, 207-287-5317 or e-mail: anne.littlefield@state.me.us.
· David Hartley, Field Examiner, 207-287-5834 or e-mail: david.hartley@state.me.us
· Rachel Parent, Accountant, 207-287-3928 or e-mail: rachel.parent@state.me.us.
· Nanci Kittredge, Account Clerk, 207-287-5316 or e-mail: nancy.kittredge@state.me.us.
· Sandy St. Michel, Secretary, School Nutrition Programs 207-287-5315 or e-mail: sandy.stmichel@state.me.us.
· Danielle McKay, Secretary, School Nutrition Programs 207-287-5903 or e-mail: danielle.mckay@state.me.us.
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