In a surprising turn of events, the school board in Waukesha, Wisconsin—previously the only board in the state to decline participation in a federal free lunch program—has reversed its decision in response to widespread public disapproval. Initially, the board voted against the Seamless Summer Option, a government initiative designed to provide free lunches to all students in qualifying districts. Their reasoning? A rather vague notion that government assistance is somehow detrimental.
Following a tense second vote, the program was reinstated by a narrow margin of 5 to 4. This raises an important question: who would vote against feeding children? The dissenting board members expressed concerns about providing lunches to all students rather than limiting them to those with verified financial needs, seemingly ignoring the fact that universal access helps eliminate stigma for those who genuinely depend on these meals.
One board member, Alex Thompson, remarked that “if we start providing free lunches, what’s next? Forced masks and whatever else the mob demands.” It’s puzzling how feeding children relates to mask-wearing and an imagined mob mentality. This comment raises eyebrows about whether Thompson believes that nourishing kids could somehow empower them against authority.
Another board member, Lisa Green, previously expressed fears that offering free lunches would spoil the children, warning against the potential for them to demand other basic needs, such as proper sanitation in schools.
Adding to the skepticism, board member Mark Richards suggested that there might be a hidden agenda behind the federal program, stating, “When the federal government feeds all students, they take control away from local boards.” Quite frankly, maybe local boards shouldn’t be in charge if they prioritize political ideologies over feeding hungry kids.
On the flip side, the members who voted in favor of reinstating the program had their own perspectives to share. Joseph Carter, the board president, admitted he couldn’t relate to the struggle of hunger, saying, “I eat every meal every day.” It took public outcry for him to realize that many children rely on school for their only nutritious meal of the day. Now, he claims he is committed to ensuring that “all children are fed.” Although it’s disheartening that it took a backlash to reach this conclusion, it’s better late than never.
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In summary, after significant public pressure, the Waukesha school board has re-implemented a program to provide free lunches to all students, reversing their initial decision that prioritized political beliefs over child welfare. The board’s discussions reveal a troubling disconnect between some members and the realities faced by families in need.