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The Dare County Board of Education, on a 6-1 vote, decided to recommend the Universal Meals Program to Dare’s commissioners.

Meeting on Thursday evening, Sept. 26, 2024, the school board first discussed the existing policy and regulation that initially imposed a $10 cap on charges for breakfast and lunch. That was changed at the school board’s September meeting, by dropping the $10 cap and substituting the following language: “The Board authorizes the Superintendent to set the limit that students will be permitted to accrue charges as outlined in Regulation 6220-R.”

School board member Matt Brauer led the discussion, saying that the policy and regulation need to be eliminated before discussing a new program. The board voted unanimously to eliminate the above language.

After discussion, questioning School Nutrition coordinator Kelleta Govan and comments from Dare County Schools Superintendent Steve Basnight, the school board passed a motion that gave the Chairman David Twiddy and the superintendent authority to request from the Dare County Board of Commissioners the Universal Meals Plan and provide funding outside the funding formula.

The estimated annual cost is up to $400,000. As more students participate in the no-cost breakfast and lunch program, the reimbursement level goes up, reducing the amount that must be paid locally.

Dare schools are already qualified for free and reduced breakfast and lunch program from the United States Department of Agriculture.

The Universal Meals Plan recognizes additional students, such as homeless, migrants, those in foster care, etc. Principals can also tap students for no-cost breakfast and lunch, as can Dare’s Division of Social Services.

For the past seven days, all students in Dare County Schools could receive breakfast and lunch at no cost. The School Nutrition Program has seen a significant increase among high school and middle school students. Over seven days systemwide, a 31% increase for breakfast and 14.7% increase in lunches is calculated. When compared with last year at the same time, breakfast shows a 41.46% increase and lunch shows a 21.85% increase.

School board member Mary Ellon Ballance said the Universal Meals Program is “an investment in students … It powers student success.”

The program is about feeding kids and fueling academic performance.

The school board starting the meeting with a closed session. The 45-minute meeting reported no action taken.

The school board’s action will be report to the commissioners on Oct. 7, 2025, at the regularly scheduled meeting.

School board member Ron Payne cast the negative vote, saying the board needs more time.

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