WAYNE COUNTY, Mich. – School begins on Aug. 25 for many students across Metro Detroit, but there are concerns about the future of programs that feed the children.
That’s because districts rely on funding from Lansing, and state lawmakers are at an impasse.
At Woodhaven High School, there are concerns about who will be able to eat for free because the state budget programs that provide free school meals for all could be in jeopardy.
“We will continue to provide free meals for as long as we can,” said Mark Greathead, the superintendent for the Woodhaven Brownstown School District.
The Woodhaven Brownstown School District has enough money to cover free school meals for all through September. What happens after that is up in the air.
“If there is not a state budget in place by the end of September, then we start to face real uncertainty.”
The district has 5,500 students across eight schools. More than half rely on free school meals.
That’s 1,500 breakfasts and 3,000 lunches every day.
When Greathead was asked what the shortfall would look like for funding, he said, “For our school district, it would be about $650,000 on an annual basis for us just in the school meals. It’s not something that would be sustainable for us.”
The budget for free school meal programs is decided in Lansing. For years, the state budget was set over the summer. But that’s not the case this year.
“The biggest concern is that there seems to be a vast difference in how our State Senate and our state house are approaching the budget, and they don’t appear to be getting any closer, and time is running out on their fiscal year.”
The state senate wants to keep funding the way it is. A mix of per-pupil dollars with additional funding based on need. The state house wants to change that.
“They are looking to combine those separate funding sources into just one per pupil,” said Greathead.
The superintendent fears students will ultimately pay the price.
“They don’t choose to be hungry; it’s something that’s primarily out of their control,” he said.
Greathead has a message for state lawmakers: “Do your job. We need a budget.”
Families who rely on free school meals are urged to fill out the education benefits form. This ensures the most vulnerable will still have access to free school meals. You can view the form here.
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