Missouri district embarrassed by 5th grader
School lunch debt should not exist.
Not in Tennessee. And not anywhere else.
Recently, a fifth grader in Missouri raised funds to pay off the school lunch debt at his school. The fundraiser was so successful, he also was able to pay off the lunch debt for graduating seniors at his local high school.
Policymakers could end all school lunch debt – if they wanted to.
Some districts (like Nashville) have free meals for all kids. Heck, some states (like Minnesota) provide funding for free meals for all kids in school.
But more often than not, school lunch debt is a reality – and punishments for school lunch debt can include withholding diplomas or preventing students from participating in certain school activities.
The alternative is simple: feed all the kids at school for free. No questions asked.
