1997 Minnesota Code
Chapters 120 - 129B Education Code: Prekindergarten - Grade 12
Chapter 124 Education Finance
Section 124.648 Milk program.

124.648 Milk program.

Subdivision 1. Legislative findings. The legislature finds that for best health and well-being, school children in the state should receive at least one serving of milk each day. The school milk program established in this section is to provide school districts in the state with added resources so that all kindergarten students in public and nonpublic schools may have access to wholesome milk on a daily basis.

Subd. 2. Establishment; school participation. Each school district in the state is encouraged to participate in the state-supported school milk program for kindergartners. Participating districts shall provide one serving of milk on each school day to each kindergarten student attending a public or nonpublic school in the district. No student is required to accept the milk that is provided by the district. The program must be promoted and operated under the direction of the commissioner or the commissioner's designee.

Subd. 3. Program guidelines; duties of the commissioner. (a) The commissioner shall:

(1) encourage all districts to participate in the school milk program for kindergartners;

(2) prepare program guidelines, not subject to chapter 14 until July 1, 1998, which will effectively and efficiently distribute appropriated and donated money to participating districts; and

(3) seek donations and matching funds from appropriate private and public sources.

(b) Program guidelines may provide for disbursement to districts through a mechanism of prepayments or by reimbursement for approved program expenses.

(c) It is suggested that the benefits of the school milk program may reach the largest number of kindergarten students if districts are allowed to submit annual bids stating the per-serving level of support that would be acceptable to the district for their participation in the program. The commissioner would review all bids received and approve bids in sufficient number and value to maximize the provision of milk to kindergarten students consistent with available funds.

Subd. 4. Reimbursement. In accordance with program guidelines, the commissioner shall prepay or reimburse participating school districts for the state share of the district's cost for providing milk to kindergarten students.

HIST: 1988 c 688 art 16 s 1; 1997 c 187 art 4 s 4