MEDIA RELEASE__Ada Exempted Village Schools has announced its 2026-2027 program year policy for free and reduced price meals for students unable to pay the full price of meals served under the National School  Lunch and School Breakfast Programs.

Each school office and the central office have a copy of the policy, which may be reviewed by any interested party. The State of Ohio Budget for the 2026- 2027 school year includes funding to cover the cost of reduced meals for breakfast and lunch.  This provision allows schools to provide no-cost meals to reduced-price meal-eligible students. 

The Federal Income Eligibility Guidelines will be used to determine eligibility. Children from families whose annual income is at or below the federal guidelines are eligible for free and reduced-price meals. 

Application forms for free and reduced-price lunch are to be completed through the PaySchools  App. Visit https://payschoolscentral.com/ or download the PaySchools Central APP to register for an account. Once registered you will receive an email to complete account details, set a password, link your students, choose notifications and set up a payment method. Once your account setup is complete, you can select to fill out the Free/Reduced Lunch Application. Your data is handled with strict protocols that ensure confidentiality. 

Use the attached PaySchools Direct Link by taking a photo of the QR code with your phone.

The information provided on the application is confidential and will only be used for the purpose of determining eligibility and may be verified at any time during the school year by school or other program officials. To discourage the possibility of misrepresentation, the application forms contain a statement above the space for signature certifying that all information furnished is true and correct.  Applications are being made in connection with the receipt of federal funds. Schools or other officials may check the information on the application at any time during the school year. Deliberate misrepresentation of information may subject the applicant to prosecution under applicable state and federal laws. 

Under the provision of the policy, Holly Castle, Food Service Director, will review applications and determine eligibility. Households will be notified of the approval or denial of benefits. If a parent or guardian disagrees with the decision on the application or the result of verification, the decision may be discussed with Holly Castle on an informal basis. If a formal appeal is desired, the household has the right to a fair hearing. A fair hearing can be requested either orally or in writing from:

ADA EXEMPTED VILLAGE SCHOOLS | 725 West North Ave. Ada, OH 45810 | 419-634-6421 adabulldogs.org | fax: 419-634-0311 

Julie Simmons 
725 W North Ave 
Ada, Ohio 45810 

Households may apply for benefits any time during the school year. If a household is not currently eligible and the household size increases or income decreases because of unemployment or other reasons, the family should contact the school to file a new application. Such changes may make the children of the family eligible for free or reduced-price benefits if the family income falls at or below the levels shown above. 

Foster children are categorically eligible for free meal benefits regardless of the household’s income.  If a family has foster children living with them and wishes to apply for such meals, they should contact the school for more information.  

FREE HEALTH CARE: Families with children eligible for school meals may be eligible for free health care coverage through Medicaid and/or Ohio’s Healthy Start & Healthy Families programs.  These programs include coverage for doctor visits, immunizations, physicals, prescriptions, dental,  

vision, mental health, substance abuse and more. Please call 1-800-324-8680 for more information or to request an application. Information can also be found on the web at  

http://jfs.ohio.gov/ohp/consumers/familychild.stm. Anyone who has an Ohio Medicaid card is already receiving these services. 

Nondiscrimination Statement 

In accordance with federal civil rights law and USDA civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its agencies, offices,  employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident. 

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the state or local agency that administers the program or contact USDA  through the Telecommunications Relay Service at 711 (voice and TTY). Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English. 

To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at How to File a Program Discrimination Complaint and at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992.  Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by: 

1. Mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW,  Mail Stop 9410, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; 

2. Fax: (202) 690-7442; or 

3. Email: [email protected]. 

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

ADA EXEMPTED VILLAGE SCHOOLS
725 West North Ave. Ada, OH 45810
419-634-6421
www.adabulldogs.org