Board approves Safe Routes plan, CEP participation and FY27 preliminary budget; votes unanimous on motions

The Fayetteville Board of Education approved several routine but substantive items at its May 28 meeting.

A motion to approve the Safe Routes to School plan passed unanimously; board members emphasized the plan does not obligate the district to immediate spending but formalizes a partnership with the city for pedestrian and school-route improvements.

The board accepted the demographic study prepared for school-year planning and enrollment forecasting; acceptance was recorded as a unanimous vote to receive the report.

On nutrition policy, board members approved district participation in the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) at Asbell Elementary and ALPS for the coming school year. Staff explained that CEP will allow those buildings to provide lunch to all students at no charge for a four‑year certification period after approval; the board approved the recommendation 6–0.

The board also approved the FY2027 preliminary budget for publication, noting conservative revenue assumptions and an absence of a proposed millage increase; the motion to approve the preliminary budget passed 6–0.

The child-nutrition director presented proposed meal-price changes for FY2627 (a 15¢ increase for paid student lunches and a 25¢ increase for adult meals) to align cafeteria pricing with federal reimbursement requirements and rising food and labor costs; that item was presented for board consideration during the meeting and the district indicated the prices must be at or above federal rates.

Where recorded, votes on the listed motions were unanimous (6–0) at the meeting.