FOSSTON — With school back in session across the Northland, some districts are getting creative to address funding shortfalls.
Fosston Public Schools announced in late August that it would accept the community's garden produce because it no longer qualifies for a supplemental program that dispersed federal dollars to schools, with the intent to provide students with extra fruits and vegetables.
The money is distributed based on a school district's percentage of students who qualify for free-and-reduced lunch. That's a standard for determining education funding and reimbursement structures across a wide variety of programs.
Since Minnesota adopted the universal free lunch program in 2023, districts have seen a decrease in applications for free-and-reduced lunch.
"When our free-and-reduced lunch numbers came in at the lower capacity or lower rate, it made it so that we weren't able to be a part of that program," explained Fosston Superintendent Derek Gieseke.
Lower free-and-reduced lunch rates could have other ramifications for funding.
“Compensatory revenue plays a critical role in helping reduce achievement gaps by funding targeted programs, interventions, and services that support economically disadvantaged students,” writes the Minnesota Association of School Business Officials.
“Traditionally, this funding has been based on the number of students eligible for free or reduced-price meals, determined through direct certification or paper applications. Recent changes to the compensatory revenue formula, however, have caused significant and rapid funding shifts for many school districts.”
Bemidji Superintendent Jeremy Olson said while the paperwork is submitted less often, poverty in the district hasn’t decreased.
Accurate data on qualifying students improves reimbursement rates from the state and federal funding sources, he said.
Olson said he is interested in a legislative solution to address this funding challenge while keeping lunch free for students. One possibility is making free-and-reduced lunch a part of the funding formula.
“Not the main driver, but to have it as part of the formula, which would then reintroduce the idea of incentivizing people to fill out those free-and-reduced lunch forms,” he said.
In Fosston, Gieseke said the fruits and vegetables program was a point of pride for the community, and so the district reached out locally to fill the gap.
“We have so many grandparents or folks that have these beautiful gardens, and it's a bountiful time right now," Gieseke said.
Produce will be accepted during school hours.
On the first day of classes Sept. 1, around a dozen community members brought in cantaloupes and mini watermelons, as well as many types of potatoes.
