by Ben Margiott | Mon, December 2nd 2024 at 5:06 PM
Updated Tue, December 3rd 2024 at 9:55 AM
RENO, Nev. (News 4 & Fox 11) — Tens of thousands of dollars in school lunch debt is once again accruing at northern Nevada school districts after the end of the universal free school lunch program.
At the start of December, there was over $62,000 in school lunch debt combined at the Washoe County School District and Carson City School District, according to officials.
There is roughly $45,000 in outstanding school lunch debt in the Washoe County School District and there is $17,522 in school meal debt in the Carson City School District, officials said.
It comes after Gov. Joe Lombardo (R) vetoed a bill that would've allocated $43 million of state funds to continue the universal school lunch program, which was in effect since the COVID-19 pandemic thanks to federal funding.
The increasing debt has inspired multiple people to take it upon themselves to help pay off the debt — local mother Cassie Donnan started a GoFundMe fundraiser to pay off the roughly $1,400 in debt accrued at her daughter's school, Bohach Elementary in Sparks.
"Sometimes this lunch is the only lunch these kids sometimes get. And the schools will not turn down a child. But that amount just keeps accruing and parents have to pay for that," Donnan said.
It's mandatory to go to school. So why can't they feed the kids?
In Carson City, district leaders recently praised the generosity of one woman, identified only as Heather G., who donated $600 to help lower the debt.
Gov. Lombardo has reiterated that roughly 80% of Nevada students are automatically eligible for free school meals because of their school's Community Eligibility Provision designation.
If students at the other schools don't already qualify for federal assistance, they must apply for free and reduced meals to determine their eligibility.
For example, in Washoe County, 68 schools meet the CEP requirement, but families at 35 other schools must apply to find out if they qualify under the income requirements.
"While the state provides free school meals for every student in demonstrable need, we’re grateful for generous community members who make an extra effort to support schools and students during the holiday season," a Lombardo spokeswoman said in an emailed statement Monday.
In justifying the veto, Lombardo also stressed a desire to return to pre-pandemic school meal programs and a concern with using one-time money to fund a recurring program, as well as concerns about food waste.
Studies have shown that up to 73 percent of food provided through school lunch programs can end up in the trash. By not extending the federal waiver program, we’re able to eliminate food waste, while prioritizing funding for those with demonstrated need.
WCSD chief operating officer Adam Searcy told News 4-Fox 11 schools will continue to feed students regardless of any debt on their account and that, by board policy, students cannot be shamed or humiliated for unpaid debt.
"The most important thing is that every student has access to adequate and healthy nutrition so that they can be at their best on a daily basis," Searcy said. "We're making sure that that basic need is fulfilled no matter what. And then we're managing the situation with the adults to the best of our ability."
He said at the 35 schools where students must apply for free school lunch, the amount of students eating lunch has gone down by at least 10% compared to the 2023-2024 school year, but he said it's too early to draw any conclusions about that figure.
"Not sure yet what that means, but fewer students eating school lunch is definitely something that we are seeing at these schools and really just trying to work through how best to manage that," he said.
Legislative Democrats have vowed to introduce a bill reinstating the universal free school lunch program in the 2025 session of the state legislature.
Click here to view and donate to the GoFundMe for Bohach Elementary School's lunch debt and email ebmartinez@carson.k12.nv.us to make a donation to help cover Carson City School District's lunch debt.
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