Shop LocalFriday, March 11, 2011
Some new federal guidelines regarding school lunch prices set to take effect in the next few years could have a big impact on area families.
Fulton Public Schools Superintendent Jacque Cowherd told the school board Wednesday night that the new guidelines, which adjust the ratio between free and reduced lunch rates and full price lunches, would result in Fulton schools having to raise its full-price lunch rates by 46 cents.
“That is huge,” Cowherd said Thursday. “That’s pretty devastating for us because that doesn’t take into account increasing food and transportation prices (which also are used to calculate lunch rates).”
With that large a jump, he said Fulton needs to start looking at starting the increases sooner rather than later so the impact will not be as drastic.
“We do need to start moving that way,” Cowherd said.
One of the obvious concerns regarding higher lunch prices is the effect it could have on families that do not qualify for free and reduced lunch — eligibility for which is based on income.
“The question (at the meeting) was have we seen an increase with that anyway with the economy, and the answer is yes,” said Director of Community Relations Kathy Wright.
The number of Fulton students participating in the free and reduced lunch program having increased from 42.5 percent district-wide in 2006 to 48 percent in 2010. The new guidelines, however, would not necessarily lead to more families being able to qualify, although Cowherd acknowledged it could possibly lead to more families not being able to afford school lunches.
“That could be, it depends on how we handle it and how long it is phased in,” he said.
North Callaway Superintendent Brian Thomsen said he has seen the legislation, but his district has not done any analysis yet as to how it will impact its school lunch prices.
One factor that could affect the impact in North Callaway is that the district contracts out its lunch services, and lunch prices are written into the contract.
“There’s a range they could go (if contractor OPAA wanted to raise prices) but it’s limited,” Thomsen said, noting OPAA would have to bring any rise in price above that range before the school board.
He said the food services contract will be on the agenda for an upcoming North Callaway School Board meeting, at which time the board could discuss the new guidelines and how they relate to that contract.
“It’ll be interesting to see how that affects us,” Thomsen said.
Cowherd had originally told the school board the new guidelines would go into effect in the 2012-13 school year, but said Thursday he had found out that phase-in date has been pushed back — although he was unsure how far it had been pushed. He said school administrators would present a more-detailed report on the guidelines for the board’s April meeting.
Attempts to contact the New Bloomfield and South Callaway school districts were not successful.
Comments
Graceful 1 year, 2 months ago
Obama once again robbing from the "rich" to give to the "poor."
rock1853 1 year, 2 months ago
Maybe the "rich" kids should start taking lunches from home. 48%? Sounds like that equation needs to be adjusted. To maybe 15% adn then I bet prices would stabilize.
wildwest 1 year, 2 months ago
Exactly how many "rich" kids are there? Considering child labor laws don't allow kids under 15 to work, except in farming or agri, seems to me that there isn't on "rich" kid in Callaway County. Or are you referring to the parents who have achieved? If so, why punish those who prosper? If, as you say, they are rich, they have the means to move. That means less money for schools, libraries, police, and fire protection. When those with money leave, that money goes with them. It doesn't stick around to support those who don't achieve.
ShaneCF 1 year, 2 months ago
@Graceful I don't know how you determined Obama to be at fault here. In fact, I don't care. You already proved your opinion doesn't matter.
@wildwest So, you're saying a corporate CEO who has stabbed anyone in the back he could to get to the top has earned and DESERVES his money, but a mechanic who works day-in and day-out and can barely afford to make ends meet doesn't?
Graceful 1 year, 2 months ago
Who made these new requirements? The federal government. I think, specifically, the Dept. of Agriculture. Who is currently in charge of that?
ShaneCF 1 year, 2 months ago
@Graceful - Tom Vilsack is currently in charge of that.
Graceful 1 year, 2 months ago
And who is his boss?
workingclass 1 year, 2 months ago
@ShaneCF You nailed it...what you noticed in "wildwest" is the very essence of the Tea Party and Republican's views of the working class. Such a shame that a group of people who claim so vehemently to be for the people are in reality only for themselves. I suppose "for the people" really means "for the top 1%" who by the way have had their income increased by 281% over the past ten years while the working people, who keep the country running doing the jobs that the rich can't be burdened with, have seen less than a 5% overall increase over the past decade.
fultonian 1 year, 2 months ago
What interesting facts. But how exactly do you define "working people"? How can you determine who has had their pay increased over the past ten years vs who has seen less than a 5% overall increase? I would consider myself working class, I'm a union hourly employee. I would also consider myself republican. So I guess your generalizations aren't exactly correct are they? Once again everyone here has missed the subject of the article, which is about school lunch prices, not Obama and republicans or rich kids.
workingclass 1 year, 2 months ago
I'm glad to hear you're a union worker, that's great! However, like many union workers these days, you're voting for candidates who are not looking out for you. I don't know your reasons for voting the way you do, and it doesn't matter because that's a personal matter. I would just encourage you to look closely at who you're voting for, especially in 2012 given the recent union-busting tactics by the Republicans.
Graceful 1 year, 2 months ago
He is supporting people he thinks are looking out for him. You support those that are not and who are only looking out for themselves.
workingclass 1 year, 2 months ago
I got carried away with your reply and I forgot to address a couple points. Yes, they are interesting facts, and I'm so glad you recognize those statistics as fact. How do I determine those claims...? Studies, statistics, facts plain and simple. Just Google the trends on earnings over the past decade, the charts paint a pretty gruesome picture.
fultonian 1 year, 2 months ago
I must say I'm suprised that nearly 50% of kids in fulton are on a reduced or free lunch program. What does a lunch at school cost anyway? I recall it being pretty cheap and a 46 cent raise doesn't seem to be very much either.
rock1853 1 year, 2 months ago
$1.75. So a .46 increase is huge for some of us. If 50% qualify then the formula needs to be looked at in my opinion. None of us want a child going hungry. Just wondering what will happen when those that can afford to send lunch from home stop paying for school lunches? Let me guess. More taxes on the rich and middle class?
@workingclass Can you please help me connect the dots from what wildwest stated and your conclusion that the tea party / republicans are responsible? Keep it simple because I would like to understand your comment.
workingclass 1 year, 2 months ago
Sorry, I see some comments like the ones from "wildwest" and I tend to go off on a tangent due to how passionate I am about the labor movement and standing up for the middle class. What "wildwest" wrote is almost verbatim what I saw recently from a Tea Party speaker and heard from some folks in Wisconsin. It's such a complex issue, and I really don't know how to put it more simply than this... There's nothing wrong with people getting ahead in life and doing well for themselves. In fact, that's great when people put the work into something and succeed. What I have a problem with is when people forget that the successful business people wouldn't be successful without the peons that work underneath them keeping their company bringing in money. It only takes a few minutes watching Fox News to see how prevalent are attacks on America's middle class these days. If people don't wake up, the rich will keep getting richer (which is ok) while the poor get even poorer (which is definitely NOT ok). The Tea Party and Republicans are absolutely behind these attacks on the middle class, not because they're bad people, but because their corporate donors are demanding.
Graceful 1 year, 2 months ago
The Tea Party IS the middle class.
workingclass 1 year, 2 months ago
LOL...sorry, but no. The Tea Party wouldn't be able to exist without huge contributions. Who that is truly in the middle class can afford to be those financial backers? followthemoney.org Check it out for yourself and see who is really behind the Tea Party, because it's not "Joe the Plumber" or Jon Q tax-payer like you think.
Graceful 1 year, 2 months ago
I know who the Tea Party is becuase I am one of them and it is existing fine. Some may get large contibutions some are not. People like you can hold your breath until you turn blue but the truth is that the Tea Party is the middle class.
workingclass 1 year, 2 months ago
LOL...sorry, but no. The Tea Party couldn't exist without their contributors. Who that is truly in the middle class could afford to be one of their financial backers? We're talking millions, not sending in a couple hundred. w w w [dot] followthemoney [dot] org Check it out and see for yourself the truth behind WHO the Tea Party really is and WHAT agenda they're really pushing. Shockingly, it's not "Joe the Plumber" or John Q tax-payer who is being represented.
rock1853 1 year, 2 months ago
The Tea Party believes that taxes should be reduced tremendously. Government wastes way too much tax money. It's your money, you earned it, you spend it how you think it should be spent. You surely don't trust some elected politician do you? Republicans are also for lower taxes but they don't do a very good job, hence the tea party movement. Democrats raise taxes on everyone, including the middle class. The poor get poorer because they know they nanny state will provide for them and they are uneducated. From each according to his abilities, to each according to their needs right?
Can you give me an example of Fox news showing attacks against the middle class?
workingclass 1 year, 2 months ago
You're right about who's for and against taxes, but let me ask you about where some of those tax dollars go. If there was significantly less tax revenue in our state and communities here in Missouri (due to the so-called "fair tax") do you have the means or ability to....maintain your streets, provide a library, ensure your children receive a quality education, put out fires at your house, collect and dispose of garbage, make sure the crazies and criminals are safely cared for in proper places so that you are safe...could you do all these things if they weren't provided by the "nanny state" through tax revenue???
We both know the answer is no. I'm not trying to be condescending here, so apologies if it came across that way. You are correct about some waste in government spending, however when we compare our country to others, we quickly see that our government runs quite efficiently in comparison. I truly believe some people's gripe is that "their tax money" is helping another person and they don't like that. Well it's that line of thinking -- the it's all about me attitude -- that has destroyed decades of progress in this country!
I must also point out an issue I have with your statement about the poor getting poorer because they are supposedly uneducated. Most CEOs we have running companies these days did not graduate with a college degree, yet have become very successful. We could argue that's because they were simply given the company control by a deceased relative, but that's beside the point. Countless people who were born in poverty have worked very hard to succeed in life and have done very well. Poor people don't stay poor because they lack education, most of them stay poor because of a lack of options available to them. Let's not even discuss the statistics on the correlation between education and political affiliation, because it's not a pretty picture for the Republicans.
workingclass 1 year, 2 months ago
Cut-off due to character limits....continues below.
Finally, yes I'd love to point out some examples of Fox News airing attacks against the middle class. In their coverage of protests in Wisconsin recently, several Tea Party people were interviewed and asked for their opinions on the matter. Of course we know what they said about it, they're still talking about it on Faux News. What people don't understand is attacks on a person's freedom to join a union if he/she wants to do that is an outright attack on every working class citizen in this country! It's time people woke up and realized what the Tea Party and the Republicans have in their agenda...which is the agenda of big business playing the role of puppeteer. If they crush unions, they drastically reduce campaign contributions to Democrat candidates, eventually turning this country into a one-party rule system which is exactly what they want. If all of that happens, who are the biggest losers? Yep, the middle class workers! The ones who keep this country running day in and day out.
Let me ask you, who benefits form that? Who benefits from no compromise, no voice of opposition, no different points of view...is that what we really want? It doesn't take long to research the Tea Party enough to find out this is where they want to lead the sheep...straight to the slaughter!
I hope you've seen that, although our views differ, I want to debate this with you while showing respect. As I said, I'm very passionate about all this, so I hope my haste in writing didn't overshadow my intent to have a civil discussion with you. It just hurts me when I meet people who tell me something that completely contradicts much independent research I've done. It really doesn't take long to find out what these Tea Party folks are up to and who's paying for them to take us down this road. Scott Walker of WI for example, absolutely driven and backed by the Koch Brothers due to their hopeful financial and business gains in that state. Another example, John Kasich of OH, a former Lehman Brothers executive...yep, the same group who played a huge role in driving this country into a huge recession!
The writing is on the wall and I hope and pray people wake up and start finding out facts for themselves. Otherwise, we may just have to wait until this next generation starts to rip away control from the good ole boys.
Graceful 1 year, 2 months ago
Fox News tells it like it is. I understand why the left can't stand that. It is the unions that are against freedom to join or decline to join. It is required in Wisconsin. It is Tea Party types thta want freedom to choose. Peoeple are waking up to the disinformation of the left. The left is anti democratic and dishonest.
workingclass 1 year, 2 months ago
Again, sorry but you are simply misinformed. It would help you in debates if you fact-checked before making statements. The TRUTH about unions in Wisconsin is this... People still have the choice whether to join a union or not. In the private sector, if a large majority of union members exist at one employer, the workers can decide to make it a closed shop through bargaining with the employer. If the agreement is reached, yes, every employee in that workplace must then join or pay a service fee. However, it has absolutely nothing to do with the state and its rules or laws, and it varies at each place of employment. In addition, it is something negotiated with and agreed upon by each employer. Also, that is limited to the PRIVATE sector...public employees cannot form closed shops, period. Please fact-check next time...and Faux News seems to be coming up a bit short on delivering you the facts.
Graceful 1 year, 2 months ago
It is not that I that is misinformed. It is people on the left that is putting out misinformation. They have a right to join but no right to decline payin g the dues. That is not a right not to join. It is left wing dishonesty to say they have a right to not join. And don't forget the state was collecting the money for the union right out of the paycheck. How antidemocractic! The left can't be trusted you need to see them for what they are.
ShaneCF 1 year, 2 months ago
@Graceful Fox News tells it like it is? That's rich. If you want your news with a conservative slant, more power to you, but I'll stick to the real news agencies.
Graceful 1 year, 2 months ago
The "real news" agencies are left of center and some are left wing radicals. They are dishonest as is the left wing in general. They are unprincipled and will say or do anything to get what they want. They cannot be trusted.
rock1853 1 year, 2 months ago
due to the so-called "fair tax") do you have the means or ability to....maintain your streets, provide a library, ensure your children receive a quality education, put out fires at your house, collect and dispose of garbage, make sure the crazies and criminals are safely cared for in proper places so that you are safe...could you do all these things if they weren't provided by the "nanny state" through tax revenue???
So called fair tax? So it's not fair? Do you even know what the fair tax is? Why not give me a quick run down on what the fair tax is in your opinon. The fair tax doesn't do away with any of the services you listed, in my opinion. Quality education? Parents are running from public schools as fast as they can. You didn't konw that?
some waste in government spending? Surely you jest. I mean if you think spending millions to teach african men how to wash their genitals, and millions to see if chipmunks like sex after they eat a pecan, and on and on and on then you should be able to make the decision to send your money in for that. Me. No way. I'll keep my share of wasted tax money and support the charities of MY choice. Not some government bearucrat on the dole with the unions and lobbyists.
The agenda of the tea party is to get government the hell out of your life. Have you studied the tennants of the party or are you just listening to MSNBC? Because your statements are just the exact opposite of the truth. Sorry and am not trying to be condescending, but fact are facts. Lead sheep to the slaughter? Really.
Scott Walker was voted in by the people of WI. Not Koch, not the unions. The middle class tax payer voted Walker in to do a job. Balance the budget. His platform was cutting spending and the voters put him in.
You did not provide example of fox news showing people claiming to be in the tea party attacking the middle class. Fox asking people their opinion does not constitute an attack in my world. How many conservatives are on your choice of news channels? How many liberals are on fox?
workingclass 1 year, 2 months ago
Ok, so here's the run-down on the so-called Fair Tax that you haven't heard about it seems. Eliminate state income tax...yep you're right about that one. Replace that with an increase in sales tax so that everyone is taxed at the same rate...yep, you're right about that as well. Here's what isn't very widely known, however. Many FT proponents want the sales tax capped at between 7% and 12%.
For the rich, that means paying about 20% less. For the poor, that means paying about 10% more. First of all, I have issue with something with those end results being labeled as "fair," but that's not all. The public services that I listed above -- the ones you and I both depend on everyday -- would be cut severely with sales tax being set at 7-12%. Studies have shown that the sales tax rate would need to be roughly 18-20% in order to preserve the services that are essential to our daily lives. Nobody will vote for a sales tax hike to 20%, so the only other option if passing a "Fair Tax" is to set the rates at 7% and slash through services. Now we're not talking about the federal waste at the moment, we're talking about state tax dollars that you actually see working in your communities everyday, or the ones that you should see if you are aware of those lowly public servants who deliver those services. Now tell me, why aren't all these facts being shared with the public amongst all the talk about tax reform. After seeing the other side of this fair tax business, can you honestly tell me that it lives up to its name of being fair?
Graceful 1 year, 2 months ago
It doesn't mean the poor paying more unless the government demands to keep all the inefficeint "services" going. The fair tax is about waking people up to show them just how wasteful and demanding government is.
rock1853 1 year, 2 months ago
Not sure where you heard the 7% at. That would be way too low at this time. Maybe you could ready the book or listen to the CD at the library. You would be impressed I'm sure. It's so fair it's crazy not to implement it as soon as possible.
rock1853 1 year, 2 months ago
Fair Tax is based on consumption. Who consumes more, rich or poor?
Graceful 1 year, 2 months ago
On an individual basis the rich consume more, of course. In the aggregate the poor do, simply because there are so many more of them. Of course, that also depends on how rich and poor are defined. But to be fair a consumption tax will burden the poor more because they have less resources to pay the tax.
rock1853 1 year, 2 months ago
Basic needs are not taxed at all. You want more, then pay the tax.
Graceful 1 year, 2 months ago
That would simply be the first exemptions from the consumption tax. Then there will be many more to follow. That is what has happened to the sales tax and it will almost certainly happen with the fair tax.
workingclass 1 year, 2 months ago
Actually, if you read HJR8 (the "fair tax" bill being presented in Missouri), you will find the essentials would be taxed if this passes. Rent/mortgage and childcare to name just a couple. I don't care what book or CD are at the library that the right are telling people to read/listen to ... read the bill for yourself and see the truth. The fact of the matter is, while fair tax plans may work in some states if implemented well and the tax is sufficient to maintain vital community services, the Missouri version of this alternative tax plan is a joke! Read it for yourself.
Graceful 1 year, 2 months ago
We'll do find. Alot of the state services aren't vital.
workingclass 1 year, 1 month ago
It seems the great Fulton Sun has decided to censor me. I'll have a reply back here for you soon Graceful, but until then, please work on your spelling so I can read and understand what you're saying a bit easier. Thanks.
online_editor 1 year, 1 month ago
I believe I restored the missing post. I could see it in the administrative interface but for some reason, it wasn't showing up on the page. I added a couple superfluous spaces to the text and resubmitted it and it appeared. I don't know what caused that to happen.
--Rick Brown, online editor
workingclass 1 year, 1 month ago
Thanks for addressing my problem. I'll try to post again, but it was saying something about words containing h--s are not allowed. I changed "house" to "home"...it was the only thing I could think of, still didn't work. Let me try again.
online_editor 1 year, 1 month ago
Oh, well, I probably misunderstood the situation altogether then. Ugh. Here's the deal with that. The word filter is, unfortunately, very strict because we've had a huge problem with spammers. Don't know if this is it, but for instance, h t t p, h t t p s, and w w w are not allowed. If you're posting a web address, either space those out, or actually, they're not even needed in most web addresses anymore. Sorry for my confusion.
workingclass 1 year, 1 month ago
It's ok...I tried posting again and the response wasn't accepted for the same "h--s" reason I said before. Oh well. I guess this really isn't the place for continuing this discussion, since it is a bit off-topic on this news story anyway. However, I would like to suggest a story (not opinion piece) on the Fair Tax initiative here in Missouri (HJR8) and its impact on public services and working families. I don't care how slanted the article is, we can take care of the missing facts in the discussion section. :)
online_editor 1 year, 1 month ago
And with that, it's probably a good time to close this thread to further commenting, considering that everyone's had time to comment, it's gotten way off topic, and I've had to remove a few comments for containing personal insults. Thanks everyone.