Educators and state officials in Michigan have raised concerns over proposed federal changes to the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP), which allows schools to offer free meals to all students if a certain percentage are already on federal assistance programs. The proposed change would increase the threshold for qualification from 25% to 60%, potentially resulting in almost 600,000 Michigan students losing access to free meals. Dr. Deanne Kelleher from the Michigan Department of Education warned that the change could be devastating for Michigan children.
These concerns were discussed at a meeting of the Michigan Board of Education where educators and officials presented information on federal actions and proposed changes. While Congress has approved a blueprint for President Trump’s economic agenda aimed at reducing the federal deficit, the potential impact on Michigan students is causing apprehension.
Richard Browder, the food service director for Brighton Area Public Schools, highlighted the importance of free meals for students, noting that some students may skip meals without them. The change in CEP thresholds could lead to an increase in stigma for students receiving free meals, affecting their ability to access nutritious food. The proposed changes are still under consideration, but Michigan officials and educators are advocating for continued access to free meals for eligible students.
Note: The image is for illustrative purposes only and is not the original image associated with the presented article. Due to copyright reasons, we are unable to use the original images. However, you can still enjoy the accurate and up-to-date content and information provided.
