During their monthly meeting Thursday, BSISD trustees learned that the parents of 488 students who qualify for free or reduced-price meals have yet to fill out an application for the program.

Food Service Director Judy Grant said the program is good for both the student, family and school district — the student gets a nutritional meal for free or at a reasonable cost and the district gets increased federal aid to supplement the program.

The federal program reimburses schools for providing free or low-cost meals to students of low income families. Benefits are calculated based on family income and total family members.

Despite the shortfall in applications, however, a record number of BSISD students are participating in the free or reduced-price meal program, Grant said.

As of Sept. 30, there were 2,256 students receiving free meals and 337 paying reduced prices for their lunches, Grant said, an increase of almost 260 from the same time in 2007.

“It probably has a lot to do with the economy,” Grant said. “Plus, the guidelines have changed since last year —  a lot more people qualify for the program.”

Grant also talked to trustees about another food service program initiative — Lunch Money Now — which allows for parents to pay online for their children's school meals.

In a little more than a year of operation, the program has not been as roaring a success as school officials would like, Grant said, noting that only 8.5 percent of BSISD parents utilize the program.

“This is a really good tool,” Grant said. “I'd really like more people to take advantage of it.”

Parents can access the program online at the BSISD Web site ( HYPERLINK "http://www.bsisd.esc.18.net/"www.bsisd.esc.18.net) and deposit money to go toward their children's meals. Grant said parents typically deposit between $25 and $40 at a time.

Another advantage, Grant said, is that the transaction takes only 30 to process, meaning that parents can deposit money that morning for their children's lunches.

“It just makes things easier for everyone,” she said. “Aside from the benefits for parents and children, it also makes things easier for school cashiers, because they have less money to handle.”