News Photo by Reagan Voetberg Food service workers prepare lunch for students at Alpena High School on Monday.

ALPENA — Concern is mounting for what may happen to the availability of free meals for students, as a state school aid budget has still not been agreed on.

The Michigan Senate and House have both passed their versions of the state school aid budget for fiscal year 2025-2026, and all that awaits is to come to an agreement to present to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.

State Senator Michele Hoitenga, R-Manton, said that she believes negotiations on the budget will not proceed until Whitmer is back from an overseas business trip. Whitmer recently traveled to Japan and is now in Munich, Germany, according to a Monday press release.

With the clock winding down until the state’s Oct. 1 budget deadline, Northeast Michigan schools have begun preparing parents, students, and staff for the possibility of universal free breakfast and lunches ending, at least for a time.

Alpena Public Schools sent word about the uncertainty of funds for free meals to the community in an Aug. 22 press release.

“State funding that provided free lunch and breakfast for all students will continue until Sept. 31,” the press release stated. “The State has not passed a new budget at this time, so we don’t know if meals will be funded after Oct. 1.”

Meal costs for students will be $2.25 for breakfast, $2.95 for lunch for elementary schoolers, and $4 for lunch for junior high and high school students.

Alpena High School Assistant Principal Mike Buchinger explained the importance of having meals readily available for students.

“We know that breakfast is one of the most important meals of the day, and there’s a lot of research that shows that,” he said. “When you look at the demographics of our community, there’s a lot of need. And it goes back to if you want kids to be successful in the classroom and feel safe then they have to have their daily needs met.”

A lack of nutrition impacts student learning as well.

“It impacts behavior and academics,” Alpena Public Schools Director of Communications Lee Fitzpatrick said. “And that’s everything for us.”

Reagan Voetberg can be reached at 989-358-5683 or rvoetberg@TheAlpenaNews.com.