In one of her final acts as Superintendent of Public Instruction, Kathy Hoffman showed why her supporters were wise to vote for her to lead Arizona’s schools in 2018 and 2022.
Using federal pandemic relief funds, the Superintendent has ordered the allocation of $6.75 million to waive reduced school meal fees for families that make under $56,000 a year.
Starting in January and lasting until the end of the 2023/24 school year, this will allow public school-age children from qualifying families to receive meals at school for free.
Commenting on this move, Superintendent Hoffman relayed:
“Ensuring no child in Arizona goes hungry is not a political issue. In fact, we have a moral obligation as a state to do so. I strongly believe that school meals should be universally free across our country because students cannot learn effectively if one of their most basic needs is not met. While we continue to fight for universal free meals, funding like this will help remove barriers for families and students across Arizona. And I urge our legislature to make this funding permanent once relief dollars expire.”
Superintendent Hoffman is right.
School meals, especially during these times when prices have recently risen, should be universally free.
Every child should be able to go to school every day and receive a free and nutritious meal for breakfast and lunch.
It will help learning and child development in both the short and long term.
It is also sound social policy and good government.
According to the Arizona Department of Education press release:
“Families will still be required to submit an application for Free and Reduced-Price School Meals to their child’s school for eligibility determination as well as for federal and state data reporting purposes. Schools are encouraged to let families know before January that all students who qualify for reduced-price meals will receive free meals.”
Goodbye Superintendent Hoffman.
You will be missed.
We hope to see you again.
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Thank you Ms. Hoffman-YOU will be missed! AZ students and teachers will miss your advocacy! I do not understand how Horn won when voters overwhelmingly voted for a limited voucher system.
And now the odious Horne is gutting the highly qualified ADE staff. A utter disaster for Arizona. It seems his past disasters have not taught him humility.