Board approves one‑year elimination of elementary morning snack milk after debate over cost and nutrition

The Monroe School District Board voted on July 27 to discontinue offering morning snack milk in elementary schools for the coming year, following a lengthy discussion about modest net program costs, increased labor and nutritional concerns.

Administration described the Wisconsin morning milk program as currently reimbursed for eligible (free/reduced) students but administratively burdensome under recent audit and counting rules. Ron, responding to questions about cost, said the program’s direct milk cost for paying students roughly covers itself but that reimbursed milk for eligible students has produced modest net deficits in recent years and that labor and audit requirements push the program into the red. Ron gave prior net‑negative figures for whole program rounds (multi‑year net negatives described in the discussion) and emphasized increased staff time for daily counting, refrigerated delivery and pickup.

Several trustees raised concerns about nutrition and food insecurity. Melissa Phillips, who identified herself as speaking from a health‑care/dietitian perspective, said she worried that for some students the school milk might be the only milk they get during the day and recommended at least offering white milk as an option. “It may be the only milk they get during the day,” she said.

Administrators said the district would maintain snack time and other ways to address food‑security gaps (backpack buddy program and breakfast/lunch options) and recommended testing the suspension for one year with the option to rejoin the Wisconsin morning milk program at the next annual selection if needed. The board moved, seconded and approved the administration’s recommendation; the motion carried after a roll‑call of trustees.