to enroll more students in the federallysubsidized program for

to enroll more students in the federallysubsidized program for free and reducedprice lunches and breakfasts, which would increase revenue from government subsidies. In August, the schools will mail applications to all public-school families in Rappahannock for enrollment in the subsidized meals program, in an effort to get more students enrolled and thus increase federal reimbursements for student meals.

Under the government program, students from low-income households are eligible for free or reduced-price meals at school. In the past, some parents seemed reluctant to sign up a child for this program, apparently fearing some stigma attached to low-income status. But Chappell said that the program has changed to make participation entirely confidential, so it can’t be known which children are receiving subsidized meals and which are not.

Rappahannock schools received $93,156 in federal reimbursements for meals last school year, and that revenue could increase substantially if more students enrolled in the program, thus helping solve the deficit problem.

On energy savings, the board approved a series of measures recommended by school administrators designed to counter some of the effects of soaring prices for fuel and electricity.

Among the new steps planned are:

* A ban on the use of space heaters in the school, except in emergencies;

* Setting thermostats at 70 degrees during heating season and 76 degrees for air-conditioning.

* Seeking voluntary reduction in field trips to one per grade level per year, and one per high school academic subject;

* Limiting warm-up for buses to a maximum of four minutes in winter, and eliminating idling of buses during loading of students;

* Eliminating some fluorescent tubes in fixtures, as appropriate.

James P. Gannon is editor of rappvoice.com