Parents Protest Over Decision To Opt Out Of School Lunch Program

Editor's Note: Patch has edited this article to give more context around the statements of board member Karin Rajnicek. This article has also been corrected to clarify that the Waukesha School Board opted to return to the National School Lunch Program at its June meeting, instead of continuing to use waivers that it had been using under the Summer Food Service Program to provide free meals through the 2021-2022 school year. At a special August meeting, the board reversed its decision and moved forward with using the waivers for the Seamless Summer Option.

WAUKESHA, WI — Community members protested Friday against the Waukesha Board of Education's June decision to opt out of a federal program that gives all students free lunch.

A crowd gathered in front of the Waukesha School District Office, 222 Maple Ave., for a rally.

The district had the options of using federal waivers for the Seamless Summer Option, a federal initiative that would give free or reduced-cost lunches — without income requirements — to all students. Waukesha was the only district in the state to opt-out of the federal program. Previously, the school district had been using the waivers for the Summer Food Service Program.

During the June meeting, Joseph Como Jr., president of the school board, said the topic of school lunches was part of normalization following the pandemic.

Another board member said free meals was a big problem.

Karin Rajnicek mentioned her children.

"So I have three kids, I had them and so I'm going to feed them and I think that's the responsibility of an adult," Rajnicek said.

She talked about the amount of homeless kids in the school population and the help given for those individuals. Rajnicek also pointed out there is free and reduced lunch for low income families.

"But when you just make a blanket, everything's free for everyone. That means that there are people out there that do not have kids that are paying for my kids to eat, can we just get back to if I have children, I should be able to provide for them and if I can't, there is help for them, but stop feeding people that can provide for them," she said. "I feel like this is a big problem. And it's really easy to get sucked into and to become spoiled. And then to just think it's not my problem anymore. It's everyone else's problem to feed my children. So I don't agree with it at all."

Darren Clark, assistant superintendent for business services, said there could be a “slow addiction” to the service.

Instead, the board in June chose to take part in the federal National School Lunch Program, a federally assisted meal program that requires parents to complete a form and provide income information in order to qualify for free or reduced cost meals.

The board is holding a special meeting to discuss the district's possible actions on federal lunch programs at 5:30 p.m. Monday at the district office, 222 Maple Ave.

Laurel Peterson, a WSD parent, said the federal program doesn't cost the district anything, and she felt confused why they wouldn't take advantage of it.

"People tend to think we are Waukesha, a suburb, and we don't have kids that need this food service, but we do. Hunger problems are everywhere," Peterson said.

Another WSD parent said children need lunches and nourishment to learn.

"This just needs to be done, and the board needs to vote yes to this program," Melissa Bushman said.

Board Member Responds

Bryanna Madison, 15, colored the sidewalk in chalk with the message, "When we aren't hungry we learn better."

"I know there are so many families struggling financially due to COVID-19, the free lunch could really help them, " Madison said.

The Waukesha South High School student said she was happy to spread the message and hopes the board will change the decision.

The rally's message has affected at least one board member.

Corey Montiho, a board member, was present at the rally. He was one of the members who voted not to participate in the federal program.

He told Patch he now realizes he was wrong.

"I made a mistake. I'm sorry," Montiho said.

Montiho explained his decision-making from June.

"We knew the federal program was transitionary and got extended through this year. We knew we had our prior program [NSLP] in place, and it was good as far as I understood," he said.

Montiho said he regretted not asking more questions about what might fall through the cracks.

"I know someone always falls through the cracks, and it is kids. It shouldn't happen," he said.

Patch has partnered with Feeding America to help raise awareness on behalf of the millions of Americans facing hunger. Feeding America, which supports 200 food banks across the country, estimates that in 2021, about 42 million Americans may not have enough nutritious food to eat due to the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. This is a Patch social good project; Feeding America receives 100 percent of donations. Find out how you can donate in your community or find a food pantry near you.