WESTBROOK, Maine — Gov. Janet Mills has unveiled her plan for the budget surplus that’s worth $822 million.
The plan would include a $20 million fund for free community college and funding for free school meals for all students.
If approved, $27 million will go toward funding free breakfasts and lunches for students at public schools like in Westbrook.
That’s on top of $10 million already set aside by state lawmakers.
“We’re really leading the nation in addressing childhood food insecurity and making sure that kids have what they need so that they can grow and thrive,” Anna Korsen of Full Plates, Full Potential said.
Superintendent Jake Langlais said the money from the state would make sure the program is paid for.
“It’s been a real challenge these past few years because we don’t gather the data like we used to as far as free and reduced lunch programs go,” Langlais said. “So it’s hard to get people’s home income data the way that schools once did.”
Korsen said there is one more step she’d like to see the governor take.
“Now that we have made sure that all kids get a healthy school meal at no cost, the next step is to make sure all kids have enough time to eat their school meal,” Korsen said.
The program is working with the state to lengthen lunch times from 20 minutes to 30, according to Korsen.
The idea itself doesn’t worry Langlais, however there are concerns on whether there will be enough support for the plan to follow through.
“I think these are all very good things, I just want to make sure that we can sustain them and that we are building smart,” Langlais said.
Mills’ budget still needs the stamp of approval, and if it passes, it’ll go into effect on July 1.