(a) There is established an in-classroom school breakfast pilot program. The Department of Education may, within available appropriations, maintain a competitive grant program for the purpose of assisting up to ten severe need schools, as defined in § 10-266w, to establish or expand in-classroom school breakfast programs.

(b) Applicants for grants provided pursuant to subsection (a) of this section shall apply annually to the Commissioner of Education at such time and in such manner as the commissioner prescribes. In determining whether to award an applicant a grant for an in-classroom school breakfast program, the commissioner shall consider, at a minimum, the following factors: (1) The specific objectives and description of the proposed program, (2) the cost of the proposed program, (3) the number of children who will benefit from the proposed program, and (4) whether the proposed program is likely to increase the number of students receiving nutritious breakfasts.