SITTING DOWN WITH WALTERS: How the Lunch Mandate Came to Be

A State Chief's Order to Schools: Provide Free Meals for All—With No New Funding

Oklahoma's state superintendent told districts to fully cover student meal costs. Districts say the mandate is costly and unenforceable.

Ryan Walters' free school lunch demand called 'empty threat' by top education lawmaker

The chairman of the House Education Committee publicly criticizes state superintendent while school nutritionists' group questions the feasibility of his latest demand. #oklaed

Oklahoma lawmakers discuss school lunch funding mandate

Oklahoma's superintendent, Ryan Walters, has mandated districts to fund school lunches, prompting lawmakers to discuss the feasibility and execution of the plan.

Walters’ meals mandate is an ‘empty threat,’ Oklahoma House education leader says • Oklahoma Voice

Rep. Dick Lowe, R-Amber, center, observes state Superintendent Ryan Walters and the Oklahoma State Board of Education during a meeting Oct. 24 in Oklahoma City. (Photo by Nuria Martinez-Keel/Oklahoma Voice)OKLAHOMA CITY — A mandate that all Oklahoma public schools offer cost-free cafeteria meals is “nothing more than an empty threat,” a House Republican leader said. The head of the House Common Education Committee, Rep. Dick Lowe, R-Amber, said …

Oklahoma House education leader calls Ryan Walters' school lunch mandate an 'empty threat'

A key lawmaker in Oklahoma education policy called Superintendent Ryan Walters' demand that school districts fully fund student meals is an "empty threat."

MAHA school lunch program lauded by some, leaves others with district budget concerns

Oklahoma State Superintendent Ryan Walters pushed an emergency mandate requiring school districts to fully fund student meals using existing state and federal dollars, according to a Monday press release to parents and administrators by the Oklahoma State Department of Education.