The Ohio State School Board of Education is considering a Tuesday vote on two resolutions that deal with free meal programs for students. One would call for the expansion of free meal programs to all students in Ohio and the other would oppose the proposed federal anti-discrimination policies that protect sexual orientation and gender identity.
Lisa Hamler-Fugitt, executive director Ohio Association of Foodbanks, said those resolutions are in 鈥渄irect conflict鈥� with each other.
She said that would ask lawmakers to use federal American Rescue Plan Act dollars to implement universal free student meals would go a long way towards improving student achievement.
鈥淣utritional intake is absolutely critical to a child's ability to learn and promote good health overall,鈥� Hamler-Fugitt said.
She said this would be the same universal free meal program that was implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic 鈥� the program expired at the end of the last school year. However, she said providing meals for students is proven to be successful.
鈥淣ot only is it ensuring that our kids are well-prepared and well-nourished to learn, but we also know that it enhances their learning environment. And kids who have access to free meals do better than their hungry peers,鈥� Hamler-Fugitt said.
The Ohio State School Board of Education is also planning on voting on a different resolution. A 鈥測es鈥� vote would mark the board鈥檚 objections to new rules proposed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
The rules would ensure, through protections under Title IX, that school districts that receive federal dollars do not have policies that discriminate against students based on their sexual orientation or gender identity.
Board Member Brendan Shea opposing those rules. The resolution states that sex is 鈥渁n unchangeable fact鈥� and that denying biological sex 鈥渄estroys foundational truths upon which education rests and irreparably damages children."
The USDA rules have been proposed as Ohio lawmakers consider banning transgender student-athletes from participating on girls鈥� sports teams.
LGBTQ advocates in Ohio have called the recent anti-transgender proposals 鈥渃ruel鈥� and a form of 鈥済overnment overreach.鈥�
Hamler-Fugitt expressed her concern that the board resolution could be a step toward threatening the vital federal programs for students.
鈥淎ll kids, regardless of their ZIP code, regardless of their gender identity, have to eat,鈥� said Hamler-Fugitt.
The board is set to hear public input on the resolutions on Tuesday.
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