Lombardo urges Nevada families to use free school meals benefit

LAS VEGAS ( KLAS ) — Four out of every five students in Nevada are eligible for free school meals, and Gov. Joe Lombardo wants to make sure families are taking advantage of the benefit.

In a letter released on Wednesday, Lombardo reminds families that free meals are available through existing programs at all public K-12 schools in Clark County. The Nevada Department of Agriculture provides a list of charter schools that are participating , or see a list at the bottom of this story. If your student attends a private school, contact the school for an Application for Free and Reduced-Price School Meals.

According to a news release from the Governor’s Office, “Currently, 80.6% of Nevada students are automatically eligible for free school meals through their school’s Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) designation. In addition to those 80.6% of students who are automatically eligible, any student participating in another federal assistance program is automatically certified for free school meals.”

Lombardo’s letter to families appears below:

In some Nevada counties — Washoe, Elko and Carson City — not all schools offer free meals. For those families, Lombardo said a parent or guardian can still fill out the Application for Free and Reduced-Price School Meals to determine their eligibility for free or reduced-price meals. Any family in need is encouraged to apply.

“My administration has worked hard to give our schools, teachers, and students critical new funding and resources, so that we can maximize student success and learning outcomes,” Lombardo’s letter said. “Last year, I allocated over $12 billion in funding for K-12 education, which increased per pupil funding by 25 percent and represented the largest education investment in state history.

“However, we also know that ensuring a safe and secure learning environment includes ensuring access to free or reduced-price meals for students in need,” he said. “I’m grateful that we have robust programs in place to ensure that these students receive free school meals in Nevada.”

Charter schools participating in CEP:

• CIVICA Academy
• Democracy Prep at Agassi Elementary School
• Democracy Prep at Agassi Middle School
• Democrcy Prep at Agassi High School
• Discover Charter School – Sandhill
• Doral Academy – Fire Mesa
• Equipo Academy
• Futuro Academy Elementary School
• Imagine School at Mountain View
• Mater Academy of Nevada – Bonanza
• Mater Academy of Nevada – East
• Mater Academy of Nevada – Mountain Vista
• Mater Academy of Northern Nevada
• Nevada Prep Charter School
• Nevada Rise Charter School
• PilotED – Cactus Park Elementary School
• Pinecrest Academy of Nevada – Cadence
• Pinecrest Academy of Nevada – Horizon
• Pinecrest Academy of Nevada – Springs
• Quest Academy Northwest
• Sage Collegiate Public Charter School
• SLAM Academy
• Somerset Academy – Aliante
• Somerset Academy – Lone Mountain
• Somerset Academy – Losee
• Somerset Academy – North Las Vegas
• Somerset Academy – Sky Pointe
• Somerset Academy – Stephanie
• Southern Nevada Trades High School
• Strong Start Academy
• Young Women’s Leadership Academy of Las Vegas

Families at Bureau of Indian Education Schools should contact the school for information on Free and Reduced-Price School Meals.

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