HOWARD TOWNSHIP — Concerned and confused parents, along with a few school board members, looked for clarification of the free reduced lunch program and if it has any connection to potential gender signage removal in bathrooms, locker rooms and more.
During the public hearing section of Thursday’s meeting, concerned Dan Offineer, asked the board if the federal free/reduced lunch program for the 2022-2023 school year is related to restroom signage.
Board President Derrick Steinmetz believes signage won’t change, but hears Offineer’s concerns.
“The way I understand things, (we) won’t be changing any signs,” Steinmetz said.
Board member Matt Schwartz echoed Offineer’s concerns of potentially removing gender signage on bathrooms.
The concern comes from a USDA article published May 5, stating: “As a result, state and local agencies, program operators and sponsors that receive funds from Food and Nutrition Services must investigate allegations of discrimination based on gender identity or sexual orientation.
“Those organizations must also update their non-discrimination policies and signage to include prohibitions against discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation,” Schwartz said.
“I’d rather have hungry kids than to be able to take a stand and say I’ll go on record and say we’ll have hungry kids and still we’re protecting our signage.”
“We run the school not somebody else,” Board member Randy Reese said.
East Knox Superintendent Steve Larcomb said there’s “nothing about taking down restroom signs” in the program and he sees no reason for concern.
“Unfortunately, the board has been fed false information,” he said.
Roughly 60% to 65% of East Knox school district students receive free or reduced lunch, Steinmetz said, with the standard lunch costing $2.50.
If the board doesn’t approve the program, the district could lose $1.4 million in federal funding, Larcomb said.
A motion to table the lunch program was passed 4-1, with board member Larry Campbell dissenting. A special meeting will be held Tuesday with the free/reduced lunch program being the only item on the agenda.
