01/14/2021 02:32 PM ESTTALLAHASSEE — A pandemic-driven budget shortfall across Florida school districts is threatening local meals programs, a core function whose funding is fanning a bitter political feud over how to direct precious money.
To make that happen, districts switched to buying more expensive pre-packaged or shelf-stable food items that can last students longer. That includes giving students frozen food in some cases, something that was unheard of before the pandemic. But the multimillion-dollar loss in nutrition funding has put incredible pressure on education leaders who are already having to dip into their reserves to avoid laying off critical employees. The issue is set to play out in front of the state Board of Education on Wednesday as increasingly desperate districts attempt to raise the alarm just as all levels of government scramble for funds.
The department started the school year with $7.5 million in contingency, she said. Now, with the change in the meals program, the district’s food service department reported losses of around $6 million, eating into their reserves, Monbleau said.
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