US EditionSITTING DOWN WITH WALTERS: How the Lunch Mandate Came to Be
OKLAHOMA COUNTY, OKLAHOMA, JUL 9 – Superintendent Walters directs districts to use existing federal and state funds for free meals despite concerns over funding gaps and legal authority, impacting thousands of students.
- Oklahoma State Superintendent Ryan Walters recently directed school districts to use existing federal funds to provide free meals to all 700,000 public school students.
- This directive arose amid Walters blaming 'bureaucratic bloat' for lunch costs and threatening financial audits and budget reviews for districts that do not comply.
- Oklahoma's school nutrition group called on Walters and the OSDE to work closely with districts, food service professionals, and local communities, emphasizing the necessity for updated kitchen facilities, enhanced staff training, and better availability of locally sourced ingredients.
- Oklahoma's top lawmaker overseeing education policy, Rep. Dick Lowe, dismissed Walters' directive as a baseless threat beyond his authority and cautioned that districts like Bixby could be burdened with a $5 million unfunded expense to cover meal costs.
- The situation underscores challenges in funding and implementing healthier meals, suggesting that sustained legislative engagement and adequate resources are vital to support schools effectively without overburdening nutrition programs.
16 Articles
16 Articles
Ryan Walters' free school lunch demand called 'empty threat' by top education lawmaker
The chairman of the House Education Committee publicly criticizes state superintendent while school nutritionists' group questions the feasibility of his latest demand. #oklaed
Walters’ meals mandate is an ‘empty threat,’ Oklahoma House education leader says • Oklahoma Voice
Rep. Dick Lowe, R-Amber, center, observes state Superintendent Ryan Walters and the Oklahoma State Board of Education during a meeting Oct. 24 in Oklahoma City. (Photo by Nuria Martinez-Keel/Oklahoma Voice)OKLAHOMA CITY — A mandate that all Oklahoma public schools offer cost-free cafeteria meals is “nothing more than an empty threat,” a House Republican leader said. The head of the House Common Education Committee, Rep. Dick Lowe, R-Amber, said …
MAHA school lunch program lauded by some, leaves others with district budget concerns
Oklahoma State Superintendent Ryan Walters pushed an emergency mandate requiring school districts to fully fund student meals using existing state and federal dollars, according to a Monday press release to parents and administrators by the Oklahoma State Department of Education.
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