Florida schools ponder how long they can continue free meals for all

Jeffrey S. Solochek, Tampa Bay Times
·2 min read

The big story: Students across Florida and the nation began receiving free school breakfast and lunch during the pandemic.

Though the format for funding the cafeteria meals changed in the ensuing years, many districts continued the service. At least one is finding it difficult to keep up with the costs.

Pasco County school district officials said a “perfect storm” of rising prices, shrinking subsidies and fewer purchases of ala carte items has them reconsidering their participation in the program. Read more here.

Hot topics

Autism awareness: Families are contemplating whether to leave their Palm Beach County private church school after its pastor canceled Autism Awareness Week activities, calling them “demonic,” the Palm Beach Post reports.

Bus rides: The Hillsborough County school district is working to fill about 200 bus driver vacancies, WFTS reports. • Several Miami-Dade County parents are upset after 13 children were left behind at a field trip, WSVN reports.

Charter conversion: Alachua County residents have several unanswered questions about a proposal to convert three schools into charters, including the fate of the school meals program, the Gainesville Sun reports.

Employee discipline: Two Leon County high school employees were fired amid allegations they provided alcohol to minor students during a cheerleader travel trip, the Tallahassee Democrat reports.

School closures: The Duval County school board wants to hear more public input as it decides which schools to close because of capacity concerns, the Florida Times-Union reports.

Student protests: Students have ended their 17-day hunger strike protesting the University of South Florida’s investment strategies, after some of the participants fell ill.

Year-round schooling: The Alachua County school board has tabled discussion of moving two schools to a year-round academic calendar, Main Street Daily News reports.

From the court docket ... A North Carolina judge denied Florida State University’s motion to dismiss a lawsuit the Atlantic Coast Conference has filed against the school.

Don’t miss a story. Here’s a link to yesterday’s roundup.

Before you go ... Enjoy alternate takes of classics? Check out this ska version of Duke Ellington’s “Caravan.”