Separation of Elementary and Secondary Claim Data
651/582-8526 800/366-8922
FOOD AND NUTRITION SERVICE
POLICY MEMORANDUM
DATE: September 12, 2001
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TO: SPONSORING AUTHORITIES of School Nutrition Programs Except Residential Child Care Institutions |
FROM: Mary Begalle, Director Food and Nutrition Service |
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SUBJECT: Separation of Elementary and Secondary Claim Data |
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Background
School lunch and breakfast claim data are used each year to determine each site's eligibility for various programs and reimbursements. Although School Nutrition Programs sites may have claim data from a combination of elementary and secondary grades, eligibility for some programs such as the Fast Break to Learning breakfast program is limited to certain grades.
• School breakfast counts - The 2001 Minnesota Legislature allowed Fast Break to Learning state aid to be paid as per-breakfast reimbursements, rather than grants. In order to pay this state aid accurately from the site's monthly claim, the elementary breakfast count must be available.
• School lunch counts - The future eligibility of elementary schools for the Fast Break to Learning breakfast program is determined by the percentage of school lunches served free and at a reduced-price. Also, the percentage of students eligible for free and reduced-price school lunch is used to determine site eligibility for other child nutrition programs.
Policy
School lunch and breakfast claim data for elementary and secondary grades will be maintained separately. Sites that are a combination of elementary and secondary grades (but are one site for School Nutrition Programs purposes) must separate elementary and secondary meal counts on the site's monthly claim. The CLiCS claim screen will be revised by approximately October 7, 2001 with separate lines for elementary and secondary school meal data.
Definition of Secondary and Elementary
Secondary Grades - The grades of a middle, junior, or high school. A K-12 school must self-identify its secondary grades.
Elementary Grades - All lower grades. A K-12 school must self-identify its elementary grades.
• School breakfast claims When elementary and secondary grades are combined at one breakfast site, the site must report the actual number of school breakfasts served to elementary grades and the actual number served to secondary grades.
• School lunch claims When elementary and secondary grades are combined at one school lunch site, the site must report the actual number of school lunches served to elementary grades and the actual number served to secondary grades.
Required Actions
School Nutrition Program site that is entirely elementary or entirely secondary:
• Report breakfast and lunch claim data either on the line for elementary meals line or on the line for secondary meals on the revised CLiCS claim.
School Nutrition Program site that is a combination of elementary and secondary grades that is, either a K-12 school or a combination of elementary and secondary schools, as identified by Site Classification(s):
• Maintain separate school breakfast counts for elementary and secondary grades and report them on the lines for elementary and secondary breakfasts on the revised CLiCS claim.
• Maintain separate school lunch counts for elementary and secondary grades and report them on the lines for elementary and secondary lunches on the revised CLiCS claim.
• If school meals have been claimed for July or August 2001, submit revised claims after the revised CLiCS claim screen is available.
If any questions, contact FNS staff at (651) 582-8526, (800) 366-8922 or fns@state.mn.us.
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