Fla. Lawmakers to Discuss Off-Campus Lunches

Back to News
Updated: 10:46 PM Feb 8, 2012 Fla. Lawmakers to Discuss Off-Campus Lunches School lunches will be up for debate among Florida lawmakers this legislative session. Some Florida lawmakers want to ban off-campus lunches all together, but local schools who give students a choice say not so fast. Posted: 5:58 PM Feb 8, 2012 Reporter: Kavontae Smalls Email Address: kavontae.smalls@wjhg.com

Font Size:

Lynn Haven -- School lunches will be up for debate among Florida lawmakers this legislative session. Some Florida lawmakers (Sen. Garcia, Rep. Gonzalez, Rep. Pafford, Rep. Porth) want to ban off-campus lunches all together, but local schools who give students a choice say not so fast.

The Bay district lets individual high schools decide if off-campus lunches are an option for their students. Arnold High School and Deane Bozeman don’t allow their students off-campus lunch, but Rutherford High, Bay High, and Mosley High Schools do.

“At Mosley we allow certain seniors who meet certain requirements to leave campus for lunch” said Sandy Harrison, Mosley High School Principal.

The requirements school district put in place were created because of a fatal accident involving a Mosley High School student in 2005 when she was partaking in off-campus lunch.

“Prior to (the accident) there wasn’t a way any of the schools monitored who was coming and going” for lunch said Harrison.

Bay District Schools allow juniors and seniors who have a certain grade point average, parent permission and an issued photo I.D. to participate in off-campus lunches. Individual schools have the liberty to add to those requirements if they wish. At Mosley High School, seniors permitted to drive off campus for lunch must pass through gates and show their approved lunch I.D. to a school administrator standing guard at the gate to ensure approved students are the only ones leaving campus. Mosley principal, Sandy Harrison says off-campus lunches work in more ways than one.

“Students appreciate that privilege and don’t want to lose that. One of the biggest carrots we can dangle over their heads is ‘we’re going to take your lunch pass away from you’” said Harrison.

Harrison hopes the bill going through the Florida legislature does not pass.

“If big government quit meddling in our business, we have no problems with it, we haven’t had any problems in a long time” said Harrison.

The proposed bill (SB 1726) to ban off-campus lunch is currently being reviewed in the Florida Legislature by the K-20 Innovation Subcommittee.

Latest Comments

Posted by: eve Location: pc on Feb 10, 2012 at 03:58 PM

These kids are old enough to demonstrate their ability to make good decisions. In no time at all, they will be graduates and need as much positive wisdom and experience as they can get. The schools that allow students to leave have requirements that must be met and the students prove they are capable of making good decisions and are rewarded by being able to leave campus for lunch. I, personally, miss those homemade school rolls back in the 60's/70's!

Posted by: Neil on Feb 10, 2012 at 02:59 PM

I didn't say it wasn't a problem. It is a problem for the local school board, not the state. Do you want the federal government to step in? the U. N.? Things should be controlled at the lowest possible level.

Posted by: Carla Location: Callaway on Feb 10, 2012 at 01:04 PM

I agree with Anonymous. And yes, Fred, I know the lunches served at school look horid. All the more reason that I also suggested the students can bring their own from home. Instead of the money going toward the greasy burgers and fries it could go towards the lunches prepared at home and probably be a lot healthier.

Click here to post or read all 13 comments.