Any type of federal mechanism to get federal funds to the local districts, as long as local districts retain allldecision making factors in regards to building or renovation. Specific references to the needs of rural school buildings and rural communities in the legislation. V. Child Nutrition Legislation Several child nutrition programs are up for reauthorization this year. The School Lunch Program has a permanent authorization, but is always subject to amendments. If 80 percent of the students in a particular school are below the national level of poverty, the entire school should be afforded free lunch.
Special consideration needs to be given in defining real costs for rural areas.
A separate fund to assist in the maintenance of facilities and line charges for rural isolated areas. We contnue to actively support it and urge all rural school districts to particiapte by sending in their yearly applications and making long-term plans utilizing telecommunications technology in their classrooms. NREA opposes any efforts to reduce the level of resources in the fund. School Prayer Initiatives NREA opposes a federal mandate on local school prayer decisions. Literacy Initiatives NREA supports all efforts supporting reading and literacy programs as long as they do not drain resources from existing educational programs and do no proscribe specific methodology.