Posted: 03.19.2010

The percentage of Wisconsin students poor
enough to qualify for free or reduced-price lunch continues to
increase.

The state Department of Public Instruction reported Thursday
that 39 percent of students in Wisconsin participated in the
programs in the 2009 school year. That is up from 35.5 percent the
year before and 33.4 percent in 2007.

State Superintendent Tony Evers blames the poor economy on the
spike.

The highest percentage of students in the programs, at more than
80 percent each, were the Milwaukee, Menominee Indian and Lac du
Flambeau districts.

Free lunches are available to families of four earning less than
about $29,000 a year. Reduced-price lunches are for families of
four earning less than about $41,000.
 

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