The idea of dropping participation – and funding – in the federal school lunch program was tabled Jan. 20 by the Waterford Graded School Board at its monthly meeting.
District Administrator Chris Joch has been tasked with obtaining more information about the issue before a board decision is made, likely in February.
Citing a desire for more local control, less waste and freedom to offer students meals that appeal to them, the board’s Personnel and Finance Committee earlier this month discussed the pros and cons of dropping out of the federal program.
On the plus side, the district’s food service provider, Taher, could better tailor lunches to appeal to local tastes.
It could also eliminate waste caused by some federal mandates, including the need to offer fresh produce on each tray, even though a student may not want to eat it.
On the negative side, leaving the federal program means funding that makes free and reduced lunches possible for needy students would disappear.
Waterford Graded would then need to devise a plan to meet the needs of its needy students, estimated to be about 19 percent of the Waterford Graded population, or about 280 students.
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It is not the role of the government, and the schools in particular, to provide free breakfast, lunch and dinner to students.