All districts — After joining kitchen staff to serve lunches on Monday to second- and third-graders at Hamilton Elementary School in Kentwood Public Schools, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer explained the need for the state’s universal free school meal program to continue.
She also touched on the stalled state budget, emphasizing that she believes a bipartisan budget will be approved and a government shutdown avoided.
The press conference to reporters took place just nine days before the Oct. 1 deadline for the state government to finalize a budget for the upcoming fiscal year.
“We are coming down to the end here, and I am going to say working every day to make sure that we get this done on time and that it prioritizes our kids, feeds our kids, doubles down on literacy, trains more qualified and skilled teachers, continues to make record investments in teachers and expanding safety and health resources,” she said.
Whitmer’s visit is the second she’s made to KPS to tout universal free school meals. The first, in August 2023, celebrated approved funding in the 2023-24 budget for all 1.4 million public school students to receive free breakfast and lunch.
Now, however, Michigan’s divided Legislature has yet to approve a budget after a months-long impasse stretching well beyond July 1, the statutory deadline to pass a budget. Both the state Senate and the governor’s budget proposals support the free meal program, but the state House of Representatives’ proposal does not.
“Michigan families the last two years have been able to count on these meals for their kids; this is at risk as we try to close out this budget,” Whitmer said.
She said maintaining funding for the program is a personal priority, because free meals make a difference in the lives of many students and their families. Monetarily, it saves families an average of $850 per child per year in groceries.
“It’s tough for any of us to focus when we are hungry,” Whitmer said. “When our kids are hungry it’s nearly impossible to learn and to take in the material that is being taught in school. As I chatted with some of the folks that work in the cafeteria, they’ve seen a difference in behavior, just because every child is able to access that meal.”
Budget Differences
The proposed Republican-led House budget would cut billions in funds earmarked for specific purposes called categoricals, such as school meals, but increase the amount of money districts receive for each student. If the funds for school meals were eliminated, many districts would have to decide whether to continue funding them or not.
Some won’t be affected. Schools offering free breakfast and lunch through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s federal Community Eligibility Provision, including Kentwood Public Schools, that are not also participating in Michigan School Meals would not be directly affected by a change in the program.
Kent County schools have started to reckon with the possibility that the program could be coming to an end. Several have sent communications to families stating that funding is secured only through Sept. 30.
Whitmer said she wants the specific allocation for the meal program to continue.
“I think it’s important that we designate dollars for lunch and breakfast. If we don’t do that, we run the risk of having some kids have access to meals and others not,” she said.
As for the education budget in general, the governor said Michigan has made “tremendous strides” after decades of disinvestments in public education, including seven years of historic investment into schools.
“This year should be no different. We have got the resources to do it and do it right.”
Superintendent Kevin Polston cited other investments made into education including free preschool through the Great Start Readiness Program, and expansions in career tech ed and teacher recruitment and retention programs that are making a difference.
“Budgets are more than just numbers, they are statements of our priorities. Thanks to strong leadership, Michigan has set a bold vision to provide every child with the resources they need to succeed,” he said. “Now is not the time to derail from the trajectory; we must chart out a long-term course to sustain and expand these investments so today’s vision becomes tomorrow’s reality.”
As for meals, the district has added full-service kitchens in all of its schools over the past several years to make sure students have fresh and hot options every day, he said.
Read more from Kentwood:
• State, federal funding ‘mess’ complicates return to school
• District marks full-circle moment, reopening elementary school
