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Parent warns USDA guidance could cost school lunches; board members discuss informing parents and possible support for AG litigation
Summary
A public commenter told the board that a June USDA/FNS notice would withhold National School Lunch Program funds unless local agencies adopt a broadened Title IX interpretation; the commenter urged the district to publicly oppose the guidance, inform parents, and pass a resolution to pause compliance pending state legal action.
A Terrebonne Parish resident urged the school board July 5 to oppose recent federal guidance from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) and to inform parents after warning that the agency’s interpretation of Title IX could tie lunch funding to new rules on restroom and locker‑room access.
Vicky Cloutier Schreiber told the board that in June FNS had issued guidance she described as requiring a “pro‑transgender interpretation of Title IX” and said the guidance could lead to withholding National School Lunch Program funds from low‑income students if districts did not comply. She said she had provided board members with a letter signed by 26 state attorneys general asking the administration to withdraw the guidance and said she had spoken with a staffer in Attorney General Jeff Landry’s office who indicated Louisiana would seek an injunction if the federal government tried to withhold funds.
“We are asking that Terrebonne School District proceed proactively,” Cloutier Schreiber said, asking the board to (1) inform parents about the USDA/FNS guidance, (2) publicly state opposition to the guidance, and (3) pass a resolution pausing any local policy changes and allow the Louisiana Attorney General to pursue legal action if necessary.
Board members responded with a mix of support for notifying parents and concern about funding and legal authority. Board member Matthew Ford said he agreed that “the federal government needs to stay out of education” and that the state and local districts should find ways to feed children without federal aid if necessary. Board member Debbie Benoit said she supported communicating with parents and noted a general principle that unfunded federal mandates need not be implemented. Board member Roger Dale DeHart said he would not comply if he believed federal direction contravened student interests.
No formal board resolution or vote on the requested actions was taken July 5; the matter was discussed during the public‑comment portion of the meeting and during subsequent board comments. Board members did not adopt a resolution that evening and did not direct staff to implement a formal noncompliance policy that would terminate participation in the National School Lunch Program.
