REPORT: POVERTY A PROBLEM AT AREA SCHOOLS
Monday, March 22nd, 2010 -- 11:22 AM
Each of our area schools has a substantially higher percentage of students receiving free or reduced-price lunch than the state average.The DPI issued a report this week showing 39% of public school students in Wisconsin qualified for the National School Lunch and School Breakfast programs. The rate is up from 35.5 percent last year.
Locally, 64% of Granton Area Schools students qualified, up from 55% last year. 58% of Loyal students qualified, 51% of Greenwood students qualifed and 49% of Neillsville students qualified.
Free lunches are available to children in households with incomes at or below 130% of the federal poverty rate, or $28,655 annual income for a family of four. Students approved for reduced-price meals, which account for just 8% of public school students statewide this year, are from families whose annual income is under 185% of the federal poverty rate. For a family of four, income would be between $28,655 and $40,793.
Feel free to contact us with questions and/or comments.