Saugus committee debates school meal scholarship

SAUGUS – School Committee members questioned whether they were opening the door for a system to be abused by establishing a one-time breakfast and lunch scholarship for some select students.Finance and Operations Executive Director Pola Andrews said in reviewing the applications for free and reduced lunch she came upon two students who were experiencing what she called “above and beyond financial hardships,” and requested that the committee put $2,200 aside for the two to receive hot meals at their respective schools.Andrews wouldn?t give specific details on the hardships, but said they “fell through the cracks” in a way that “all financial assistance had been exhausted.” She added that the “dire” circumstances were measurable, and a clergy member or guidance counselor who knew the family would verify the situation.?Choices are being made that would affect the child,” she said, pausing to carefully choose her words. “Choices that place the child in a difficult position.”Committee member Vincent Serino was worried that a scholarship would open the door for questions of who else could receive a lunch scholarship. “What about the fourth student, the fifth student? How do you pick one and not others?” he asked.Member Arthur Grabowski agreed with Serino, and asked why the students couldn?t brown bag their lunch, as was the practice of many Saugus families on a budget. “I don?t mean to be cruel, but we have federal guidelines,” he said. “Do they have a cell phone or cable bill that?s more important than the child?s brown bag or hot lunch?”Jeannette Meredith said in cases such as these students?, the parents aren?t around to make a brown bag lunch, and the situation is put on the student. “A majority of kids are taken care of, but these cases fall through the cracks,” she said.Chairman Wendy Reed said she agreed with Meredith. Member Corrine Riley added, “There are reasons why these situations happen. They don?t ask for it.”Superintendent Michael Tempesta assured the committee that the scholarship was a one-time need, but he said if there were students in the future who were experiencing the same issues, that he would open it back up for discussion to give again, giving “due diligence” to the verification process.With Tempesta?s assurance, the committee passed the motion unanimously.Grabowski suggested a program where parents “work off” the scholarship volunteering for the school. Tempesta said he would be willing to discuss such options for future families in need.