Parents plan to pack tonight's Monroe County Community School Corporation board meeting to speak out against a controversial lunch policy adopted earlier this year.
A USDA policy means schools have to put a lunch debt policy in writing by July 1. MCCSC adopted a policy in May that stipulates students who have no money in their lunch accounts will be given three hot meals before being given an alternate meal of a peanut butter and jelly or cheese sandwich. The district already practiced the policy but didn't have it in writing. Critics of the policy say it's "lunch shaming."
Advocates gathered at Mother Hubbard's Cupboard last week to prepare their response to the policy, but the meeting quickly became heated when MCCSC's superintendent and school board president showed up. School Board President Martha Street said the district's policy of offering an alternate meal "becomes a learning experience."
The school board will discuss the policy at its 6 p.m. meeting.