In a surprising turn of events, a Wisconsin school board that initially opted out of a federal free lunch program has reversed its decision following significant public backlash. The Waukesha school board was the only one in the state to reject the Seamless Summer Option, which provides free lunches to all students in eligible districts. Their reasoning? A rather convoluted view of government assistance, claiming that “government bad! Suffering good!”—though I’m paraphrasing, the sentiment was clear.
After a contentious second vote this week, the program was reinstated by a narrow margin of 5 to 4. This raises an important question: who actually votes against feeding children? The dissenting members expressed concerns about providing lunches to all students, rather than just those with demonstrable economic need. They seemed oblivious to the fact that universal access to meals not only removes stigma but also assists families who may not apply for aid for various reasons.
Board member Anthony Zenobia voiced an interesting concern. He claimed that providing free lunches today could lead to “forced masking” and other unwanted government control in schools. It’s perplexing to connect hunger relief with fears of “mob rule”—are we to believe that well-fed children might rise up and overthrow their elders?
Another board member, the aptly named Liz Parker, previously suggested that free lunches might lead to children becoming “spoiled.” One can only imagine what other basic needs she thinks children should be denied if they’re allowed to eat without charge. After all, who knows what demands they’ll make next? Indoor plumbing? Toilet paper in schools? The apocalypse is near!
Adding to the drama, board member Kelly Thompson hinted at a conspiracy, urging community members to be vigilant about the federal government’s expanding role in feeding students, which she claimed undermines local school authority. Perhaps she’s unaware that if some board members don’t prioritize feeding children, we might not need a school board at all.
On the other side of the vote, those who supported reinstating the program shared their lack of understanding regarding the issue of hunger. The board president, Mark Johnson, admitted he had never experienced hunger himself and needed several weeks to grasp that some kids rely on school meals as their primary source of nutrition. Now, he pledges to “ensure all children are fed.” While it’s disheartening that it took public outcry and protests to reach this conclusion, at least they’ve come around.
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Summary
The Waukesha school board’s initial refusal to participate in a federal free lunch program has been overturned amid public outcry. The reversal highlights the ongoing debate about government assistance and the importance of feeding all students, regardless of economic need. Board members expressed varying and questionable concerns about the implications of free meals, but ultimately, the need to address child hunger prevailed.
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