Broward school board okays temporary 'courtesy meal' fund for students lacking lunch, extends coverage to high schools

The School Board of Broward County on July 22 approved a temporary districtwide program allowing principals to provide a paid school meal to students who arrive without money, drawing $500 to seed each school's account for that purpose and expanding coverage to high school students.

The board voted unanimously to approve board member Rebecca Thompson's proposal after a daylong discussion about food insecurity, the cost and source of funds, and how the district will monitor need. The board also changed the item to draw the initial $500 allotment per school from the district's Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) account rather than the general fund and adopted the board amendment to rename the program "courtesy meal." The change to include high schools was added during debate.

Thompson said the measure is intended as a stopgap to make sure students do not go hungry while the district collects updated data on need. "Worrying about their next meal should be the last thing on our students' minds," she said in introducing the proposal. Public commenters urged broader action: activist Elijah Manley told the board the district should pursue universal free meals and said, "No child in Broward schools should be…