August 29, 2025 - AAPS Update on Universal Free School Meals

Dear Ann Arbor Public Schools Families:

 

As you may be aware, Michigan’s public schools are still without a state-allocated education budget for the 2025-2026 school year. As required, Ann Arbor Public Schools approved the district’s 2025-2026 budget by June 30. However, the state’s July 1 budget deadline has passed, and Michigan school districts are still waiting for the legislature to determine and pass an education budget for the current school year. 

 

One of the several funding sources yet to be determined is the Michigan School Meals program, which allows Ann Arbor Public Schools to provide universal free breakfast and lunch to all our students. Without this funding source, the district will only be able to provide free and reduced-cost meals for those students who qualify based on the submission and approval of the Education Benefit Form (EBF).  

 

Therefore, as of October 1, 2025, AAPS will no longer be able to provide universal free meals for all students if the state aid budget is not passed or is passed without universal breakfast and lunch funding.  Please know that this difficult decision was not made lightly. We remain hopeful that state legislators will soon pass a budget that includes the Michigan School Meals program—maintaining free breakfast and lunch for all students.

 

All AAPS families are strongly encouraged to complete the annual Education Benefit Form (EBF) to ensure that all free and reduced-price lunch eligible students are identified. The form can be completed electronically in the AAPS Family Portal, which you can log into here. Hard copies of the Education Benefit Form are available in your school office.

 

More information about the Education Benefit Form, including translated informational letters, can be found at the following link:  Food Service Educational Benefits

 

You are encouraged to contact local and state House and  Senate legislators about the future of the Michigan School Meals program.   Additionally, it may be helpful to view a state budget update provided by local legislators Senator Jeff Irwin and Representative Morgan Foreman at the very beginning of this week’s Board of Education meeting. 

 

Once a budget is passed, an update will be shared regarding the status of funding for the Michigan School Meals Program in the AAPS. 

 

Sincerely,

 

Jazz Parks

AAPS Superintendent of Schools