Michigan Schools Bring Back Free Meals — But the Process Left Some Frustrated

Here’s some good news for Michigan families — free breakfast and lunch programs are officially back in schools across the state, including right here in Mid-Michigan. It was a stressful scramble for school officials to restore the programs after a close call with the state budget. Lawmakers made sure universal meals were part of the state’s new $21.29 billion education budget, which finally passed after months of back-and-forth in Lansing.

What Michigan’s Budget Means for Students

That means every K–12 student in Michigan can eat breakfast and lunch at school for free, no matter their family’s income. Parents and teachers are relieved, especially since the delay left a lot of people wondering if the program would even return this year.

READ MORE: Michigan Avoids Shutdown While Federal Government Remains Closed

When the new school year started, districts didn’t know what kind of state aid they’d be getting — or if programs like free meals would survive. Legislators missed their July 1 deadline, pushed things to the brink of a shutdown, and only wrapped up the budget on Oct. 3.

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The good news? Along with keeping school meals, the budget bumps up per-student funding by 4.6% and adds money for mental health, school safety, and at-risk students. Districts can also use part of those funds to lower class sizes or bring in more staff where it’s needed most.

Schools Say the Process Was Frustrating

Still, a lot of school leaders say the last-minute scramble was stressful and unsustainable. One superintendent put it best: schools need stability and time to plan long-term, not last-minute surprises.

READ MORE: Michigan School Pleads With Parents to Stop Smoking Pot

So while families can finally breathe a sigh of relief that free breakfast and lunch are sticking around this year, most educators agree — Michigan has to figure out a better way to handle school funding if we want this good news to last.