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A free school meals program could appear on next year’s ballot, and North Dakota legislators are sizing up the potential costs. So far, estimates are showing it could cost about $134 million over two years, according to reporting by of the North Dakota Monitor.
The Together for School Meals coalition submitted a petition November 26th seeking to add a constitutional requirement that all K-12 public schools provide free breakfast and lunch. Lynelle Johnson, director of child nutrition for the Department of Public Instruction, says predicting costs is challenging because it’s unclear how many students would participate if meals are free.
Representative Mike Nathe says if the measure passes, the Legislature must determine how to fund the sizable sum, with costs potentially growing $6 million to $7 million every two years. Lawmakers expressed concern families may stop applying for federal free meal programs, reducing federal reimbursement the state currently receives—more than $38 million last year.
ND United President Nick Archuleta supports the measure, saying teachers know hungry students struggle to focus on schoolwork. The petition needs 31,164 signatures by July 6th to appear on November’s ballot.
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