Parent tells board Burns Middle students were sent back hungry; members pledge review

At the Cleveland County Board of Education meeting on March 9, parent Renee Palermo testified that some Burns Middle School students were not provided complete lunches and were given ‘red tickets’ and sent back to class hungry. "For many students, school lunch is not just a convenience. It's the most reliable meal that they will get all day," Palermo said, describing an incident in which she was told 24 students received a 'red ticket' and some children left lunch without a full meal.

Palermo said a school staff member told her the site sometimes runs out of particular items and that students should have taken what was served, a statement Palermo said disregarded allergies and nutrition needs. "When a child is hungry, they cannot focus," she said, urging the board to prioritize policies that ensure students are served edible food every day and inviting board members to have lunch at Burns Middle.

Board members responded during their comment period with concern. One member called the report "unheard of" and said it "really bothers" them that lunches were unavailable. Another member pressed for more investigation into food-service operations and spending; a separate member noted the district spends millions on nutrition and said adequate meals should be provided. Several members praised staff and said they wanted to ensure students are fed while staff examine logistics and procurement contracts.

The board did not take a formal vote on policy changes at the meeting. Members asked staff to follow up and provide more information; the public comment rules were reiterated that confidential student or personnel matters must be handled outside the public comment process.

Next steps: staff to investigate the Burns Middle lunch incidents, report findings to the superintendent, and return with recommendations if policy or operational changes are warranted.