Burnet CISD enacts new policy for student meal charges
STAFF WRITER CONNIE SWINNEY
BURNET — Burnet Consolidated Independent School District has adopted a new policy on student meal charges and food options following passage of a state law that mandates districts serve regular meals even if a student can’t pay.
Texas Senate Bill 725, authored by state Sen. Borris Miles (D-Houston), requires schools to make arrangements for parents to pay off meal debt while still providing a regular meal to the student.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott signed the bill into law in June.
BCISD previously had a three-day charge policy. Students who could not pay would receive an alternative meal option of a cheese sandwich, fruit, and milk.
With the new policy, all students receive a regular meal regardless of their ability to pay.
However, school district officials have stepped up efforts to contact parents daily to get them current on their child’s meal plan.