Burke has been open for 58 years. At some point we were a Title 1 school, but now we are not.

Although it is uncertain when Burke officially became a Title 1 school, we are not anymore. “Title 1” comes from President Lyndon B. Johnson. He had a war on poverty policy in 1965; it is a focal point of the “No Child Left Behind Act of 2001.” That program gave students a fair chance of improving academic achievements through funding. Technically, Title 1 funds school districts federal sponsorships and that covers support personnel, school supplies, lunches, etc. Title 1 was made to guarantee the unprivileged students get an education by bridging those gaps in educational achievement.

“There are pros and cons, but it is a good thing. The extra funding is needed and there are many students who benefit from free breakfast lunch. You cannot learn if you are hungry!” Geoffrey Brodie said.

That is why we must pay for lunch now at Burke because its not being funded for by the federal sponsorships. Some students do not mind it, but some do because why should students have to pay for lunch? They get breakfast for free, why not lunch? It is because the school is not being funded. That is why you hear teachers say they paid for things with their own money because the school supplies the school provided for them now must be paid for.

“I do believe that school lunches should be free as a public school it should not be a paid expense. Today with rising inflation and constant demand skyrocketing money is tight and some people are not eating as much as they should. School lunch should not be another worry and stressor amongst our youth on top of everything else going on in the world.” Jasmine Allen said.

Now how does it affect people? Well multiple people are affected, students and staff combined. Students do not want to be paying for stuff at school, something that should be free for all students. Teachers should not have to pay for school supplies for their classrooms if it should be supplied to the school for free. But teachers will always pay for things for their room, like a rug or decorations but school supplies? Usually that is already supplied to them. Yes, parents will always buy their kids school stuff every year, as in clothes, notebooks, folders, etc. but a lot of them time you will also see kids use the same stuff every year.

“No, she does not because I usually have everything I need because I should not be throwing my old stuff away. Usually, the only thing I would is a notebook.” Emma Riegel-Stiles said.

Title 1 is for all schools that are eligible for it. For a school to be eligible for Title 1 is based off the number of students that come from low-income households. Title 1 is not also for just schools it is also for neglected and delinquent students and homeless shelters. Private schools can be eligible but that is only if the students who live in areas where participating public schools are.

“I get my school supplies from a mix of places. I would say that I purchase about 25% of them, the school purchases about 50%, and then I get the last 25% from a wish list that I share with my friends.” Alec Prough said.