Westerville City Schools Free and Reduced Applications Simplified with Meals Plus Software

Overview

With approximately 14,700 students, Westerville City Schools is the 11th largest school system in Ohio. The district operates 14 elementary schools, four middle schools, three high schools, three Magnet Program sites, an Early Learning Center and an Academic Enrichment Center. Westerville City Schools is consistently recognized by the state as being one of the highest performing districts in Ohio. More than 80% of its graduates pursue a post-secondary education.

District Obstacles

Westerville City School’s Child Nutrition Secretary, Wanda Myers, managed all free and reduced applications manually.The system was not internet based, thus forcing Wanda and her team to use a manual daily import/export system. Because of this, any changes in student free and reduced status were not received until the next day, causing a delay in offering free or reduced meals to students. Secretaries were forced to manually process applications, send them in for review, wait for approval,and then put the data into the point of sale system all by hand.  In addition, the system was not user-friendly, and customer support became “pretty much non-existent” according to Wanda.

Finding the Answer

Westerville City Schools required a cafeteria management system with a centralized database and real-time data updates.They were in need of a system that provided internet access to efficiently integrate their student information and point of sale system. They were also in need of a readily available, and knowledgeable support staff to assist them with any technical issues quickly. Meals Plus provided all services necessary to Westerville City Schools, and exceeded all expectations in the process.

Results

With a smooth transition into using the Meals Plus system, Westerville City experienced a rapid turnaround of applications. Once the information was imported and processed into the Meals Plus system, students could receive their Free and Reduced meals immediately. The Meals Plus free and reduced management software also saved Westerville City Schools money on several different fronts. Printing costs associated with paper applications decreased with the arrival of the online free and reduced application system. Money and time were both saved in the field of secretary involvement, with the Meals Plus system automatically processing the applications secretaries previously labored over. The system also expedited the process of requiring new applications from households. The system’s robust reporting includes a report with application expiration dates and with a few clicks, generated letters to parents notifying them that a new application must be submitted. After the 30 day grace period for students, only a small percentage of new applications still needed to be submitted by parents.

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