By Scott Richter and Dr. Patrick Jones
The novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) is reshaping life as we know it. Exactly how is yet to be played out, leaving even next week’s outcome still a huge unknown.
Those who are parents do our best to shelter our kids from things harmful or scary. However, the temporary closure of all public K-12 schools across Washington State certainly illustrates what people universally might consider harmful and scary.
While the decision was made in good faith and with the best interests of public health, it isn’t without consequences. Perhaps the primary issue is the children who depend on the schools being open for breakfast and lunch. In more familiar times, the concern was for food insecure students in the evenings and weekends. Now, locally and across the state, including other states across the nation where schools have been closed, contingency plans are being made. But how many school-aged children are affected in Benton and Franklin Counties?
We know from looking at the Total and Share of K-12 Students Enrolled in USDA Free & Reduced-Price Lunch Program indicator on Benton-Franklin Trends, an increasing share of students enrolled in a public school participated in the U.S. Department of Agriculture Free and Reduced-Price Lunch Program
The most recent school year, 2018-19, claimed the largest share of public-school students in the series for the combined counties, with 58.2% qualifying for either free or reduced-price lunches. By far, a greater share qualifies for free over reduced-priced. Further, the percentage point growth in the share of students enrolled in the free and reduced-price lunch program over the past 20 years (1998-99 to 2018-19) was:
- 22.5 points, from 29.5% to 52.1% in Benton County.
- 29.2 points, from 30.2% to 59.3% in the City of Kennewick.
- 16.2 points, from 20.4% to 36.6% in the City of Richland.
- 3.2 points, from 66.1% to 69.3% in Franklin County.
- 2.1 points, from 67.1% to 69.3% in the City of Pasco.
While it’s important to note each location offered in this series have seen increasing shares, Benton County is driving the increases locally. Percentage growth in the total student enrollment (headcount) compared to the total enrolled in the free and reduced-price lunch program from the 1998-99 school year to 2018-19 in:
- Benton County was 34.3% and 136.6% respectively.
- Franklin County was 113.1% and 103.3% respectively.
- The Combined Counties was 126.0% and 52.7% respectively.
- Washington State was 31.4% to 43.4%.
Although recent increases in the greater Tri Cities’ average have been driven by Benton County, its share has been consistently lower than Franklin County.
With schools and businesses closing across the state due to COVID-19, those relying on this resource might suddenly be even more numerous. However, school districts are responding. Each district has created pick-up points to continue getting meals to students during school closures, and they will reassess the need to expand to additional sites. For now, all children 18 and younger will be served, regardless of previous qualification status, but must show up in person.
Although free meals are available during the school closures, household income and size determine eligibility. In Washington State during the current school year (2019-20), are as follows (more found here).
Household Size Maximum Income Level (per year)
1 $23,606
2 $31,894
3 $40,182
4 $48,470
Things are always changing, such as moving pick-up points to cooler areas due to warming temperatures outside. Learn more here:
Finley School District; Kahlotus School District; Kiona-Benton School District; Kennewick School District; North Franklin School District; Pasco School District; Prosser School District; Richland School District