The number of kids enrolled in the free or reduced lunch program
in county schools has more than doubled in the past two years, with
Hollister School District (HSD) on top with 50 percent of its
student body enrolled in the low-income program.
The number of kids enrolled in the free or reduced lunch program in county schools has more than doubled in the past two years, with Hollister School District (HSD) on top with 50 percent of its student body enrolled in the low-income program.
In 2002, out of 58 counties in California, San Benito County ranked as the 12th poorest county, and had the 13th highest rate of child poverty, according to the California Food Policy Advocates. That year, the study also showed of the 3,900 students eligible for free or reduced lunch, only 1,400 were enrolled in the program countywide. The number of low-income students receiving free or reduced lunch in the county has more than doubled since then, going from 1,400 in 2002, to roughly 3,830 in 2004.
Mayor Tony Bruscia said the change in numbers most likely has to do with the changing employment rates and living situations in the county. He also said the high number of families that qualify as low income has to do with the available jobs in Hollister.
“I think one of the challenges for the area is we have a lot of migrant and seasonal workers that make up a large portion of the low-income percentage,” he said.
HSD has the highest rate of students receiving free lunch, and R.O. Hardin School leads the district with 67 percent.
Aside from wanting to make sure its students are healthy, HSD is concerned with students being able to focus during testing if their stomachs are grumbling.
“It’s a great problem, but we’re still accountable for test scores,” HSD Director of Instruction Anita Franchi said. “Who can take a test when they’re hungry?”
Exams like the Academic Performance Index (API), determine how the school ranks with others, and receives funding.
“On a testing day, you have one day to give it, and if half the kids are hungry, they’re not going to be able to concentrate,” she said.
The 2003 API test results showed socioeconomically disadvantaged students scored 585 on the test, while the districts’ average was a score of 669, according to the California Department of Education.
Diane Ortiz, who is organizing the Backpack Project for HSD, a fundraiser to provide school supplies for needy children, said there is a direct connection between hunger and achievement.
“There have been a lot of studies that have shown students who are poor or hungry have a harder time with school,” she said.
HSD’s lunch program is paid for by Title 1 funding, which is part of the No Child Left Behind Act that provides funding to school districts with high percentages of low-income families. If a family of four makes $24,505 or less, their children can apply for free lunch, and if their total income is $34,873 or less, they can get reduced-price lunch, according to the California Department of Education. A school lunch costs $2.
Families who qualify and are interested in signing up for the program can fill out and return the proper forms sent home during the first week of school. Those who qualified last year will continue to receive free or reduced lunch for the first 30 days of school.
Christine Tognetti can be reached at 637-5566, ext. 330 or at ct*******@fr***********.com.
