S 0996 Joint Resolution, By H.U. Fielding and N.W. Smith
 A Joint Resolution to require each public school district in the State to
 implement a nutritional, well-balanced school breakfast program for school
 year 1991-92.

   05/16/91  Senate Introduced, read first time, placed on calendar
                     without reference SJ-11
   05/21/91  Senate Read second time SJ-147
   03/17/92  Senate Committed to Committee on Education SJ-6

May 16, 1991

S. 996

S. Printed 5/16/91--S.

Read the first time May 16, 1991.

1. Estimated Cost to State-First Year $-0-

2. Estimated Cost to State-Annually

Thereafter $-0-

This Joint Resolution would require each public school district to implement a nutritional, well balanced school breakfast program for school year 1991-92. Currently, three hundred ninety-nine (399) out of the seven hundred one (701) "severe-need" schools have breakfast programs. A "severe-need" school is one where at least forty percent of the students qualify for free or discounted lunches.

The federal government reimburses all schools for every free and discounted breakfast served. In "severe-need" schools sufficient funds are to be provided by the federal government to guarantee that the breakfast programs break even. The U.S. Department of Agriculture reimburses all schools ninety cents for every free breakfast served and sixty cents for discounted breakfasts.

Presently, the cost statewide of the food services program (lunch and breakfast) is approximately 82% from federal funds and fees charged and 18% from local funds. The additional school breakfast program in this resolution would affect over 300 schools. The federal government would reimburse school districts approximately $9.3 million, as the program now exists, and this should be sufficient to pay for the program.

There would be no additional costs to the state general fund on implementing the joint resolution. Fixed costs at the local level for the lunch program are already in place and should carry over to the breakfast program. Other factors involved in implementing a breakfast program such as altering bus schedules and providing for supervision should be covered within the school district's normal operating budget and should have little or no impact to the local school district.

Prepared By: Approved By:

Les Boles George N. Dorn, Jr.

State Budget Analyst State Budget Division

A JOINT RESOLUTION

TO REQUIRE EACH PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT IN THE STATE TO IMPLEMENT A NUTRITIONAL, WELL-BALANCED SCHOOL BREAKFAST PROGRAM FOR SCHOOL YEAR 1991-92.

Whereas, of those schools with a high percentage of children from low-income families only sixty-five percent offer breakfast, even though the federal government is willing to underwrite the cost; and

Whereas, studies show that hungry school children score lower on achievement tests, are tardy more often, and have more health problems than school children who begin the day with breakfast; and

Whereas, of South Carolina's seven hundred one "severe-need" schools - those in which at least forty percent of the students qualify for free or discounted lunches - one hundred twelve do not serve youngsters a morning meal and another one hundred eight schools have twenty-five to forty percent eligible students for meals, but do not serve breakfast; and

Whereas, the United States Department of Agriculture reimbursed schools in 1990-91 ninety cents for every free breakfast and sixty cents for discounted breakfasts; and

Whereas, through additional federal reimbursement for these meals it is estimated that an additional nine million, three hundred thousand dollars will be realized as additional revenue in this State; and

Whereas, in severe-need schools, the federal agency provides sufficient additional funds to guarantee that the breakfast programs break even; and

Whereas, there is no valid reason for South Carolina's public schools not to serve breakfast to qualifying students. Now, therefore,

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:

SECTION 1. Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 59-63-765 of the 1976 Code, for school year 1991-92 each school district shall implement in each school in the district a nutritional, well-balanced school breakfast program.

SECTION 2. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.