The recently elected Arizona public instruction superintendent made addressing the strict mandates limiting food choice in schools – an initiative enthusiastically supported by Michelle Obama – a high priority just months into her term. Republican Diane Douglas recently released a statement indicating that public schools in the state will not be forced to abide by one particularly controversial aspect included in the set of nutritional guidelines.
“I have ordered effective immediately, that the [Arizona Department of Education] Health and Nutrition Services division grant exemptions for all fundraisers for both traditional public schools and charter public schools,” she announced.
While regulations also dictate what public schools are permitted to serve during meal times, restrictions placed on fundraising efforts have similarly been panned by school officials across the country.
As Western Journalism reported last summer, members of the Tennessee Board of Education sounded off on the impact these limitations would have on clubs and organizations within the school that rely on bake sales to fund student activities.
“If somebody wants to object to federal intrusion in what’s going on in schools,” advised Board Chairman Fielding Rolston, “I think this would be an ideal place to target their objections as opposed to some of the other things people are tending to complain about.”
Douglas continued her criticism of the restrictions in her statement, declaring that “Forcing parents and other supporters of schools to only offer federally approved food and snacks at fundraisers is a perfect example of the overreach of government and intrusion into local control.”
Should local school leaders be allowed to implement their own nutritional standards? Sound off in the comments section below.
This post originally appeared on Western Journalism – Informing And Equipping Americans Who Love Freedom
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