Lake County Gazette

At its recent meeting, the Westminster Public Schools Board of Education voted unanimously to support Propositions LL and MM. These measures, which will appear on Colorado's November 2025 ballot, are designed to secure ongoing funding for the state's Healthy School Meals for All program.

Board Treasurer Mary Beth Murphy, who previously worked as a teacher, introduced the resolution. She said the issue is "very near and dear to my heart." Murphy explained that hunger can make it hard for students to concentrate in class and may lead to behavior problems. She shared her own experience: "I would have children come to me and say, I didn’t have anything to eat last night and I would really like some food."

Colorado voters approved Proposition FF in 2022, creating the Healthy School Meals for All program to provide free meals for all students. Funding comes from limiting state income tax deductions for individuals earning over $300,000 annually. The measure was expected to generate up to $101 million. However, due to increased participation, higher costs, and reduced federal support, the program is projected to run out of funds by the end of this school year.

Proposition LL would let the state keep about $12.4 million in excess tax revenue under Proposition FF’s structure. Proposition MM aims to raise an additional $95 million by further reducing state income tax deductions for those with incomes above $300,000. If both measures pass, they would fully fund the meal program and also provide grants for school districts to purchase food from local producers. Additional funds could be used for kitchen upgrades and higher wages for some cafeteria staff.

Waukegan Community Unit School District 60 serves Lake County and includes schools such as Andrew Cooke Magnet Elementary School and Waukegan High School (https://www.illinoisreportcard.com/). The district is made up of 3.2 percent White students, 13.2 percent Black students, 79.5 percent Hispanic students, and 1.3 percent Asian students (https://www.illinoisreportcard.com/). According to state data, there are 1,014 teachers in the district with an average salary of $63,524; most are women (71.1 percent), while men make up 28.9 percent (https://www.illinoisreportcard.com/). The district spent $23,429 per student in 2020, totaling more than $359 million that year (https://www.illinoisreportcard.com/).