Lifetime Citizen Portal Access — AI Briefings, Alerts & Unlimited Follows
MPS committee extends Food Justice Task Force for three years, directs advisory merge
Loading...
Summary
The committee extended resolution 22,23 R-013 for three years and directed administration to incorporate the Food Advisory Committee's goals and members into the Food Justice Task Force, after public comment urging continued student involvement and discussion of reporting cadence.
The Milwaukee Public Schools Committee on Accountability, Finance and Personnel voted to extend the Food Justice Task Force resolution (22,23 R-013) for three years and asked administration to incorporate the Food Advisory Committee’s goals and members into the task force. The motion passed unanimously among four members present.
The administration, including Superintendent Brenda Caselli, recommended sunsetting the standalone resolution on the grounds that the food advisory committee and the task force have similar aims and that a merged structure would strengthen coordinated efforts, elevate student voice and streamline reporting. Caselli told the committee she had discussed the matter with staff and that the merged group would continue the work in a coordinated way.
Mike Terza outlined the advisory’s mission and early activity, saying the advisory began meeting in June and has expanded to 18 members that include students, parents, teachers, community partners, culinary professionals, elected officials and MPS staff. Terza said the advisory’s work will underpin a three- to five-year school nutrition services strategic plan focused on USDA compliance, menu improvements, local procurement and student engagement.
Public commentators urged caution. Ingrid Walker Henry, president of the Milwaukee Teachers Education Association, said the MTA ‘‘is not in support of some students sunsetting the resolution’’ and argued that items listed in the original resolution remain incomplete, meaning the task force’s student-led work should continue. Anita Garrett, a grandparent and Good School Food Advocacy graduate, told the committee she supported a practical path forward that preserves student voice while advancing local procurement and more scratch-cooked, culturally relevant meals.
Directors debated trade-offs between preserving the task force’s written commitments and avoiding duplicative bodies. Some members asked administration to return with a clear plan and timeline; administration agreed to hold a January meeting that would invite all task force members and bring recommendations back to the board. The committee’s adopted motion extends the resolution three years and authorizes administration to merge the advisory committee’s goals and members into the task force structure, with periodic updates to the board.
