Oklahoma schools struggle after third-meal program funding cut
The Oklahoma State Department of Education has ended funding for a federal program that provided a third meal to students, leaving districts unable to continue the service.
The Oklahoma State Department of Education has cut funding for a federal program that provided a third meal to students in need, citing concerns about compliance with federal guidelines.
In Wynnewood and Shawnee, districts that relied on the “Expanded Learning Time” program funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the decision has left schools unable to continue providing meals to students. OSDE said the move followed an investigation that found some participants were not following federal rules, but superintendents argue the decision unfairly impacts children across the state.
“These are the boxes with the meal kits for third meal. There’s different kinds,” Wynnewood Superintendent Byron Mooney said, referencing the program his district implemented two years ago to combat student hunger.
Mooney explained that the funding cut will cost Wynnewood approximately $30,000 per month. Without federal reimbursement, the district cannot sustain the program.
“If we had the money, I wouldn’t even be complaining. Not a bit. We would just say we got this, we’re moving on. We don’t have that money,” Mooney said.
Shawnee Public Schools, which has participated in the program since at least 2017, served 28,000 meals last year. Like Wynnewood, Shawnee officials say they cannot continue providing the third meal without federal support.
OSDE informed districts that they must implement a structured after-school program to qualify for funding, but Mooney said the timing of the directive was problematic.
“We’re two weeks into school tomorrow. It is hard to come up with, and all of a sudden create, an after-school program and serve this basically on a whim,” Mooney said.
Jerrod Lundry, superintendent of Haworth Public Schools, said he asked OSDE why the program was being cut and was told there were concerns about the “fidelity” of its implementation.
The concerns stem from an investigation requested by State Superintendent Lindel Fields into “Feed the Kids,” an organization involved in the same federal after-school meal program. Fields alleged that operating costs and reported meal numbers had been inflated to secure additional federal funding.
Lundry, whose district relies on the program for 70% of its students, said the reasoning behind the decision is insufficient.
“If there was a bit of infidelity in the program, my suggestion would be to provide more oversight, give more professional development and training to schools,” Lundry said.
Superintendents affected by the funding cut are scheduled to meet with OSDE in a Zoom call to ask questions and express their concerns. District leaders, heartbroken by the decision, said they hope OSDE will reconsider.
Oklahoma State Department of Education officials released a statement regarding the program’s discontinuation
“The USDA’s CACFP Afterschool Program is administered according to the federal fiscal year which runs from Oct. 1 to Sept. 30. Districts that participate in this program must reapply every year, and the timing of the most recent OSDE memo is in accordance with this cycle.
The decision to discontinue the expanded learning time option came after a review by USDA officials who determined the program was not being operated according to federal guidelines in several instances. Regardless of the program’s discontinuation, the OSDE is committed to supporting schools in their efforts to provide nutritional options for students.
We are in contact with districts affected by this change, and a Q&A session with program administrators is scheduled for this Thursday to assist in addressing their concerns, which vary by district. We are committed to working with every district to ensure that no child goes hungry.”
