As Michigan lawmakers continue to work on the state budget, it appears that school meals will remain free, according to Governor Gretchen Whitmer.
For weeks, school districts raised concerns about providing free school meals. In fact, Whitmer sent a letter to superintendents on Wednesday, urging them to continue feeding their students even with the budget talks in limbo. This provision is part of the new budget.
While lawmakers missed the Oct. 1 deadline, we could see some movement in Lansing on Thursday.
Whitmer signed off on a continuation budget to keep the state government running until Oct. 8. The continuation of last year’s budget buys lawmakers time to get a budget done for this current fiscal year.
Meanwhile, area school districts were not sure how to operate for their fiscal budgets, including free school meals.
The Northville School Board just voted to pay for meals through the end of October, taking $400,000 out of their general fund to do it.
“If they would have told us July 1 they could no longer do it, great. Then, we have time to plan for it and address it,” said Northville Public Schools Superintendent Dr. RJ Webber.
In the letter Whitmer sent to superintendents on Oct. 1, she wrote that Republicans and Democrats reached a deal on the school aid bill. The bill aims to continue funding free school meals for students.
A budget vote is expected in both the House and Senate on Oct. 2. Once approved by lawmakers, it’ll head to Whitmer’s desk, where she’ll review and sign it.