All Springfield public school students will get free lunches this year. Most schools in the district already were part of a free meal program that qualified students automatically, no matter their household income. This year, all schools in the district will participate. Iles and Ball Charter Elementary schools were added along with Lincoln Middle School and Springfield High.
The USDA will pay for the breakfasts and lunches according to the the district's food service coordinator, Jan Miller. Miller also says the student population at all district schools is needy enough to qualify for the program. About 60% of District 186 students come from what are considered low-income families.
