North Dakota voters will decide this November whether to approve Measure 2, an initiated proposal that would provide free breakfast and lunch to all public school students from kindergarten through 12th grade across the state. The measure, which will appear on ballots as Measure 2, asks voters to directly approve or reject the plan.
If approved by voters, Measure 2 would amend the state constitution to mandate that earnings from North Dakota’s Legacy Fund be utilized to cover the costs of these universal school meals. The Together for School Meals coalition successfully garnered enough valid signatures to place the initiated measure on the ballot, a fact confirmed by the Secretary of State’s Office in May. The coalition expressed optimism regarding the measure's prospects, with Amy Jacobson from Together for School Meals stating, "overwhelmingly we’ve seen support as long as we’ve been talking about this policy." She added that North Dakotans have consistently expressed a desire to see this policy implemented.
The proposal comes amidst significant school meal debt within the state. A recent Legislative Audit and Fiscal Review Committee meeting heard a report from the Department of Public Instruction detailing that North Dakota’s total school meal debt currently stands at just over $2 million. This debt is attributed to several factors, including confusion surrounding eligibility requirements, fluctuations in family incomes, and instances of missed or forgotten payments.
Under current state law, public school districts are required to collect outstanding meal payments from families. Furthermore, districts are mandated to cover any unpaid balances using non-federal funds. Lynelle Johnson, the director for Child Nutrition and Food Distribution, emphasized that state law obligates schools to communicate their meal debt policies to parents and school staff annually. Johnson also clarified that schools are prohibited from using funds from their non-profit food service accounts to pay off existing meal debt.
The push for universal free school meals has seen previous legislative attempts. During a special legislative session in January, state lawmakers voted down a bill that aimed to expand free school meals. The Together for School Meals coalition believes that the importance of this issue warrants a direct decision by North Dakota voters, hence their effort to place it on the ballot.
Despite the coalition's confidence, the measure faces opposition from some state leaders. The governor stated in July that he would not personally vote in favor of Measure 2. While acknowledging understanding and empathy for those who support the initiative and their frustrations, the governor expressed a preference for the proposal to have been brought forward as a statutory ballot measure rather than one requiring a constitutional amendment.
Should Measure 2 pass, the Together for School Meals coalition estimates that families across North Dakota would realize significant financial relief, potentially saving an estimated one thousand dollars per student annually. The statewide vote this November will determine whether North Dakota joins other states in providing free meals to all public school students, reshaping how meal debt is handled and how school nutrition programs are funded.
