In a unanimous decision, the Knoxville School Board approved a student lunch policy enforcing an alternative lunch for accounts with negative balances and a shutoff of meals at a -$40 balance.

Parent Megan Suhr, who organized a meeting last week to brainstorm alternatives to the policy, expressed her concerns that as many as 200 children in the district might be unable to eat per day and the shaming of children forced to eat the alternative lunch, a cheese sandwich. Other parents and grandparents also spoke out against the policy.

Board members had mixed feelings. Mike Moats mentioned his family being eligible for the Free and Reduced Lunch Program as a younger man, but being too proud to apply. Mike Helle suggested that families should make their children a priority by cutting out unnecessary expenses like cell phones and cable TV. Helle also pointed out that Pleasantville Schools are enacting a much harsher policy, taking delinquent families to court and providing no food at a zero balance, and the Knoxville policy will be merciful by comparison.

Superintendent Cassi Pearson addressed the concerns of community members, stressing communication as an important part of the policy. Pearson says parents will be contacted at every step in the process and that the school is in the business of helping and educating children. The policy goes into effect September 1.