Anger Over the Free Lunches at Area Elementary Schools?

One area resident sent the below letter out to the county commissioners yesterday afternoon.  I must assume the constituent that sent the letter read this article and the associated comments.

I understand the issue, having served for many years on the school board.  The compassionate side of me knows that for many students in the district--these school meals (provided by the Federal Government through the State and by local districts) and the backpacks with food sent home with many students for the weekends (provided by local non-profits and faith-based groups) represent their primary food sources.

Is this how it ought to be?  Of course not, but there is a LOT of social dysfunction in the area and the kids pay the price if not for programs like these.  And the root causes for the dysfunction cannot be discussed for political correctness' sake and the situation is not changing.  Nevertheless-- I don't want to see any students go hungry because their guardian (s) are not getting the job done. Do you?

Also, the pragmatic side of me knows that for schools that are primarily below the poverty line--- keeping up with the changing federal paper chase for eligibility burns a lot of staff time and this blanket, school-wide program enables staff to save this time chasing paperwork in order to focus on more important school issues.  It helps the staff, it streamlines the process for students, and for many students this is literally a Godsend.

I replied to this constituent's email with the appropriate school board member contact information and the explanation that these decisions rest with the school board, not the county commission.

here was her letter:

"To all county commissioners:

When I first heard that Escambia county residents were paying for meals at 43/45 schools I was very angry…..who approved and signed off on this program?  With all the “give back” programs available to children in Escambia County (United Way, WIC, Food Stamps, Cram the Van, etc., etc., etc.) this program is unnecessary.  Parents are responsible for their children, not the residents of Escambia County...

Are seniors (those over 66) eligible for this program?  Can we eat at the schools?  Many of us are over 70 trying to live on social security, which minus Medicare, is about $800 per month – and yet we pay property taxes that include taxes for schools!!!!!  We do NOT have children nor grandchildren in the Escambia County school system, and yet we are feeding someone else’s children!  Make the parents responsible for the upbringing of their offspring – including feeding them! The parents made a choice to have children which included the choice to be responsible for them until they are 18.

My sister lives in Marietta, Georgia, and residents there over 60 do not pay school taxes – we should implement that here in Pensacola."

Fed Up!