Two new state laws revolving around school meals bring up larger questions about the role of government.
One law, known as Breakfast After the Bell, will require high-poverty schools to provide meals for children who arrive late for school. As Principal Matthew Fechter of Fruit Valley Community Learning Center told The Columbian, staff members at his school greet students with “Good morning” and “Did you get something to eat?” If not, the student is taken to the cafeteria for a quick bite. House Bill 1508, sponsored by Rep. Monica Stonier, D-Vancouver, will take effect next school year and will extend that policy to schools throughout the state.