Roughly 567 million lunches were served this May as part of the National School Lunch Program, data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture state. But is it the federal government's job to make sure kids get lunch?
U.S. Senate candidate Todd Akin (R-MO) isn't so sure, as St. Louis Public Radio reported this week. During a stop at the Missouri State Fair, he said that while he's not against school lunches, he thinks the responsibility is one that could be better handled by states.
Roughly 646,000 Missouri students participated in the federal lunch program during fiscal year 2011, data show. That's down from 649,000 the previous year but up from the years 2007-09, when participation stood between roughly 639,000 and 645,000 annually.
By comparison, the fiscal year 2011 lunch-program participation of neighboring states varied:
- Illinois: 1.16 million
- Iowa: 397,000
- Kansas: 362,000
- Arkansas: 353,000
In fiscal year 2010, the federal government spent $9.7 billion on the lunch program, the Food Research & Action Center states. The nonprofit aims to improve policy in an effort to end hunger. The lunch program "makes it possible for all school children in the United States to receive a nutritious lunch every school day," the center's website states.
For the 2011-12 school year, participating schools in most states received $2.77 in reimbursements for free lunches, $2.37 for reduced-price lunches and $0.26 for paid lunches.
Would you support ending federal support for school lunches? Do states have adequate funding and resources to provide food to kids in need? To what degree would such a system run efficiently? Are there alternatives that should be considered?
You represent what I hope will be our--TEACHER's of the Future Right here. Your eloquent essay should be posted on every Bulletin board in America. Our schools are not "education", they are child-care centers (with Success rates far below years ago),using funds that are spent 75% on the care-takers. People think public schools are "FREE". In fact, they are the most expensive Taxed system in America. The poor and needy pay up the "A__" for this education, all the while being told it's FREE. My hat is off to you----"TEACHER OF THE YEAR".
Every non-public school parent deserves to have their Real estate tax go for "the classrooms" not the teachers pay raises. If you don't teach my child , then my tax money should not support your raises and pensions. If every parent sent their child to public schools because they already pay the tax, no School district in Missouri could handle it. Taxing people for "Services never rendered" is"stealing". Our children are not being taught the difference in right and wrong. Having pre-marital or teen sex is "wrong". They are taught to use "condoms" and birth control pills.right-a-wrong. That is why Parents and children have no attention span in classrooms. Anything-goes! 1)Why don't residents take a new route and force the School Board to Hire 50% non-union teachers. Teach "morals". (not excuses) 2)Every parent owns an automobile fully capable to drive their own child to school. Buses & drivers should be PAID BY THE USERS. Not Me!
Your son Paul was in the Ballwin Ellisivllle Patch stinkin' up the joint yesterday. Please keep a closer eye on his whereabouts or at least pin a note to his sleeve so we know to where we should return him. Signed -- The Residents of Ellisville
Out of curiosity, Debbie, could you enumerate exactly how the residents of Ellisville did this? It's not self-evident, and as an Ellisville resident I'd like you to educate me on why you blame the residents for the mess and why people don't wish to live here?
Reduced Property taxes for ALL.. Trust me. Lori Trakas's winning in this very liberal machine environment speaks wonders about how many readers follow me and responded to her fabulous campaign strategy. I hope she has some affect on Tax reductions. I choose to take the message directly to the sites of where "liberals" hibernate". I now see that spreading as my letters to Senators are making them go directly to Liberal infested locations. It is time for all conservatives and "God loving people" to speak the "truth" and educate the uneducated. (80% of our public school children are not ready for college). (Glorified country clubs) We must take back our Public Schools along with our country. I want smarter students , They want More Pay. I urge all VOTERS in ALL Public school districts to Stop the excessive Taxation in the name of Education. Educators are way outnumbered , if ALL residents VOTE. Our public schools have "stolen" our religion by making it financially impossible for residents to use alternative state approved education. Free lunches-transportation have no place in education at today's COSTS. That is the biggest reason and mission of PaulRevere. The more name calling you see, the more worried they become.
It is the Residents that choose the "COUNCIL". Now if the Council "fires" the mayor, who is responsible? Is that enough explanation.
1. All Missouri teachers would earn at the rate of $38,000 per year. 2. Teachers would not get paid over the summer if they don't work. 3. Teachers would not be paid for any days not worked, including winter and spring breaks. 4. A maximum of 50% of teachers could join a union. I count 194 work days for teachers. Assuming 260 weekdays in a year, this means that all Missouri teachers would be paid 194/260*38,000 = $28,354 each school year. Mr. Revere, please let us know if I missed something.
And wasn't Paul Revere a liberal?