Three Oklahoma State Representatives have chimed in on the new mandate from the Oklahoma State Department of Education demanding schools to fully fund student meals, with mixed feelings on the practicality and timing of the directive. Rep. Annie Menz of Norman expressed both surprise and excitement upon learning about the mandate, signaling her readiness to partner with Superintendent Walters in ensuring no child goes hungry at school.
"I was stunned and thrilled when I read about Superintendent Walters' most recent mandate regarding free school lunches," Menz said, citing her ongoing efforts encompassing legislation proposals and numerous meetings aimed at expanding the free lunch program, "Hungry kids can't learn, and every child deserves access to healthy nutritious meals," Menz told the Oklahoma House. Menz' sentiment is undercut by colleague Rep. Ellen Pogemiller's critique of the unfunded nature of the mandate, arguing it bypasses the Community Eligibility Provision which utilizes federal funding and criticizing the mandate's late issuance that leaves schools unable to adjust their plans or budget accordingly.
Pogemiller highlighted the timing issue, saying "Yet the deadline to apply for CEP was June 30—meaning this new potential mandate arrived too late for districts to adjust their plans, and our state won’t have the chance to prioritize this in the budget until next year," indicating a stumbling block in implementing the mandate effectively right away according to the OK House website. Meanwhile, Rep. John Waldron of Tulsa backs the principle of free lunches but stresses the need for fiscal responsibility to ensure local districts don't suffer adverse financial effects, especially since such programs have a positive track record in educational outcomes.
"School lunch programs are proven to boost learning, improve test scores and promote healthy bodies," Waldron said and highlighted that House Democrats have been advocating for this issue, hoping the mandate can be implemented collaboratively, stressing in his district, Tulsa Public Schools already provides free lunches to all which circumscribing potential financial detriment to local school systems Waldron told the Oklahoma House.
