BUTLER TWP — Students at Northwest and Summit elementary schools will eat for free next school year, following a vote by the Butler Area School District school board Monday, May 8.

Board members also decided Monday to appoint two people to the school board at its meeting May 22 to replace Bill Halle and Regenold Griffin, who resigned.

Brian White, district superintendent, said the two schools now qualify for free school breakfast and lunch through the Community Eligibility Provision. He said the district’s food provider, Aramark, recommended the board approve the motion because the cost of lunch is reimbursed to the district through federal money and the company’s revenue would not change.

“This does not mean the school is impoverished or needs free lunch, but cost-wise it’s just as effective to provide everyone lunch because volume increases,” White said.

The board voted unanimously to have breakfast and lunch free at those schools, which will be effective at the start of the 2023-24 school year.