Outer Banks Insider exclusive: Listen to the audio for most of the 5-on-5 Committee meeting about school meals that took place on Friday, Sept. 20, 2024. Editor’s note: None of the voices making comments belong to any of the journalists who covered this meeting. (Photo by Corinne Saunders)
Dare County Schools Board of Education Member Ron Payne (far left) speaks against feeding all public school children through the proposed universal meals program, citing the financial cost. Vice Chairman Carl Woody (center) and Chairman David Twiddy (right) listen as Payne suggests seeking out students who may need financial assistance instead, during the 5-on-5 Committee meeting in Manteo on Friday, Sept. 20, 2024. (Photo by Corinne Saunders)
By Corinne Saunders
MANTEO — The Dare County Schools Board of Education will hold a special meeting in the next week or so to discuss and formally approve a plan of action for school meals to present to commissioners, who could then vote on any funding requested at their Oct. 7 meeting.
This was decided during Friday’s 5-on-5 Committee meeting in Manteo, which began at 2:30 p.m. and lasted about an hour.
In addition to the five county representatives and five school representatives, about a dozen members of the public were present at the meeting, which was not livestreamed.
Dare County Board of Commissioners Chairman Bob Woodard stressed that the commissioners have always funded financial requests from the public school system. He pointed out that school board members are elected to make decisions for the schools, so student meals is an issue that board should decide.