MANITOWOC, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — The superintendent of Manitowoc Public Schools is reversing course on a federal program that provides free meals for all students.
It comes after significant public pressure from the community, including a petition for the Superintendent, James Feil, to resign.
The Manitowoc Public School District is the only district in the state that opted out of a federal program before this school year that provides meals at no cost to all students, according to Wisconsin’s Department of Public Instruction.
Feil made the decision without school board approval, but says he has now changed his mind.
“It’s very difficult when you’re standing out there alone, even though I’m standing on the principle in terms of trying to be very conscientious of taxpayer dollars,” said Feil.
Feil originally chose to go back to the pre-pandemic model of providing free and reduced meals to students who qualify.
After the issue took center stage the past month, Feil says he’s started the process of trying to re-enroll into the federal Community Eligibility Program.
“As long as we’re not having to compete with other general fund priorities, I figured ok we need to stop all the excessive conversation on this topic and get back to instruction,” said Feil.
When this issue first came about, district officials said they’d have to wait until next school year to get back into the federal free meals program.
Feil addressed what the district will do if it cannot re-enter the program for this school year.
“We’d wait, but no student in need is not going to be provided for,” said Feil.
“I think it’s important that we take care of these children with healthy school meals,” said Charlie Russell, a parent in the district.
Parents like Russell, who’ve voiced their opposition to Feil’s original decision say they’re hopeful the free meals can return this year.
“My main focus right now is making sure that all children in our district get healthy school meals and that the shaming that has come from this is going to end,” said Russell when asked if the possibility of a waiver impacts an online petition that has been circulating calling for Feil to resign. The petition has more than 1,000 signatures.
Feil says any student who doesn’t qualify for free meals but doesn’t have money to pay for food is now receiving the same food as everyone else. Previously, the district said those students were receiving an alternative free meal.
The Hunger Task Force, an anti-hunger public policy organization, has become involved with this issue. It claims a waiver to opt back into the program is possible and has sent the necessary information to the district.
