Mental health awareness training is essential for creating school environments where students feel supported and understood. When educators and staff are equipped to recognize early signs of mental health concerns, they are better able to respond appropriately and connect students to support. Providing consistent mental health awareness training helps reduce stigma, promotes early intervention, and strengthens school communities. These efforts support not only student well-being, but also academic success.

NO HB 38: Virginia Public Education has one job. Successfully educating scholars. Teachers are not to be Mental Health Providers. This 'Social Emotional Learning' programming is detrimental to Academic Achievement. Require ALL Administrators at a Director or Chief Level or Above, With Academic Responsibilities To Acquire Special Education Endorsements Instead. HB 38 as is may result in some unintended consequences of discrimination in classrooms.

Chair and Members of the Committee, On behalf of the NAACP State Conference Executive Committee, I urge your support for this legislation strengthening mental health awareness training for teachers and school personnel. Educators are often the first to observe signs of mental health challenges among students—particularly among youth disproportionately affected by trauma, instability, and unmet health needs. While current law requires training, it lacks guidance on what that training should include. This bill appropriately addresses that gap by requiring evidence-based instruction aligned with best practices developed by the American Psychological Association. By ensuring training addresses the needs of youth populations at higher risk, this legislation promotes early identification, appropriate response, and stronger connections to support—without stigma. The bill’s explicit prohibition against biased or discriminatory treatment is essential and aligns with the NAACP’s longstanding commitment to equity, fairness, and the protection of students’ civil rights. This is a responsible, preventive approach that supports both student well-being and educational success. We respectfully urge the Committee to advance this bill and affirm our shared responsibility to ensure safe, supportive learning environments for every child. Thank you for your consideration. Respectfully, Trish White-Boyd Executive Committee NAACP State Conference

HB38 will ensure that teachers are better prepared to address the mental health needs, specifically of their most vulnerable students. As a former special education teacher, I saw students with many of the risk factors outlined struggle to access the mental health support they needed. This is especially critical in Virginia, which ranked 32nd in youth mental health according to 2025 Mental Health America data. While we must continue to invest in additional staff with extensive mental health training, teachers remain on the front lines of this crisis and need up to date interventions supported by data, such as those outlined by the American Psychological Association. Overall, this bill is one step in the right direction to equip school staff to better support all students. -Liz Nigro, Voices for Virginia's Children HB96 is an essential investment, particularly at this moment with cuts to SNAP, rising grocery bills, and the discontinuation of the main survey tracking food security over time. Specifically, by providing school breakfast to all students, families in Virginia could save an average of $315 each school year. This equals roughly two months of diapers and one month’s electric bill for a single-family home. According to 2025 No Kid Hungry polling data, 97% of Virginians want to end child hunger, and we believe HB38 is a great first step. -Liz Nigro, Voices for Virginia's Children We support HB210, especially at this moment. According to No Kid Hungry’s 2025 poll, 84% of Virginians say food costs are rising faster than their income and 52% of families with K-12 students report going into debt due to the price of groceries. School meals could provide food relief but many families find themselves in school meal debt, particularly in the 36 districts with no or limited participation in the community eligibility provision (CEP), which provides free school breakfast and lunch to all without household applications. This bill serves to protect some of the Commonwealth's most vulnerable families and that is why we urge you to support this bill. -Liz Nigro, Voices for Virginia's Children

https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HB38 Violates Constitution as aimed at minorities, also singling them out for being "mental" which can be a source of bullying. https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HB96 Waste, fraud and abuse program. No affordability in where people who are working 2 jobs to pay for their kids, should have to pay for others who make more than they do. https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HB178 This should not be used to buy votes. That's exactly what it is.

Comments Document

Would you send a police officer back into the field while under investigation for abuse? A prison guard? To send a potential abuser back into the school the complaint came from ensures NO CHILD AND NO TEACHER will ever report again! Is that your purpose? As a survivor of child sex abuse - you do NOT protect the feelings of the adult over the trauma of the young. YOU WILL CREATE LIFELONG TRAUMA Why do some teachers and school staff molest, abuse, and rape children? There are a myriad of answers based on motivation, opportunity, and “illness”, but the bottom line is molesters abuse children because they can. Because they think it’s okay. Because they know they can get away with it. Because some communities accept child molestation as a norm and other communities hide their head in the sand. Because people turn a blind eye to childhood sexual abuse with victim-shaming comments like “it happens,” or “I don’t believe it,” or “who waits that long then comes after a good teacher”. Because, on some level, child abusers don’t believe child abuse is wrong and their enablers don’t believe it’s such a big deal. Good and decent people have become an Army of Enablers, not because they are evil but because without all of the facts or any facts, in most cases, for a prolonged period of time a societal group think resulting in a premeditated ignorance and becomes “normal”. It is a deliberate unawareness. Sadly they do not know, because they do not want to know. In knowing good people would have to take responsibility for that knowledge and at the very least leave their comfort zone and do something. Who are we if we ignore children being raped, molested and beaten in the very institutions we have been commanded to hand our children to for the majority of their young lives because “ they know what’s best” ? We become the enablers. We become the complicity of silence. So it is up to us to proclaim ENOUGH IS ENOUGH! It is obvious that it is up to us. One important part of the solution is to build a community that fights back against the norm we no longer accept as true. Instead of shaming victims, the communities we envision shame perpetrators. Instead of ignoring the signs of abuse, the communities we envision educate one another and put safe guards in place that make it more difficult for perpetrators to access children. Instead of throwing up our hands and saying there’s nothing we can do, the communities we envision aggressively pursue legal recourse whenever possible. We must understand that child abuse is committed by a single person but enabled by the village, so it takes a village-of-a-different-kind to turn the tide of decades of ignorance leading to this childhood exploitation. We can do this only if we join forces with others who say, “this is enough,” only if we demand consequences for abusers that are more painful than permission to abuse is gratifying. Only then will we begin to stem the tide of this epidemic that sucks the soul out of those of us who are victims. Building a firewall means acknowledging that abuse happens and putting in place the eyes, ears, awareness, and commitment to make sure it never happens on our watch

This is a letter for support for HB 96 on behalf of a committee at the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG). COG's members include Northern Virginia jurisdictions.

Hello, My name is Jennifer Williams. I am the Director of Food and Nutrition Services for Rockingham County Public Schools with degrees in Dietetics and Public Health, as well as a parent of children attending public schools. I am writing to voice my support for HB96 and to urge passage of this much needed legislation. I support this legislation because: 1 - It supports Virginia students: Schools that adopt universal breakfast consistently see improved attendance and punctuality, and calmer, more focused classrooms. Universal free breakfast ensures every student starts the day nourished and ready to learn. Additionally, universal free breakfast eliminates stigma, allowing students to participate without fear of being singled out. 2 - It supports Virginia families: Whether you are a family struggling to make ends meet or your son accidentally left his breakfast on the kitchen table because he was thinking about his test in second period, having universal free breakfast available at school is a relief for families, knowing their child will not go hungry during the school day and/or knowing their child is receiving a nutritious meal that they might not be able to provide at home. 3 - It supports Virginia school staff: Teachers and school administrators have enough on their plates in today's classrooms. When universal free breakfast is not available, like in Rockingham County, teachers and school administrators are involved in helping school nutrition departments with free and reduced meal application communication with families, daily breakfast and lunch money collection, following up with parents on delinquent payments, as well as worrying about students who they know are suffering from hunger. Universal free breakfast reduces all these administrative burdens listed above, giving back time to teachers to teach, and allowing school nutrition staff to focus on what they do best - feeding and nourishing our Virginia students. Thank you for considering this important legislation. Jennifer Williams, MPH, RD

I am writing in support of HB96, which would require public schools to make breakfast available at no cost to any student who requests it. As an elementary school instructional coach, I see first hand how hunger affects students’ attention, behavior, attendance, and overall readiness to learn. Ensuring universal access to breakfast removes stigma and allows all students to begin the school day with their basic needs met. This legislation also promotes equity by reaching families who may not qualify for free or reduced-price meals but still experience food insecurity. By normalizing access to breakfast and encouraging participation through effective service models, HB96 aligns with existing MTSS and student wellness efforts already underway in schools. Addressing nutrition proactively supports both academic success and positive student behavior. I appreciate that the bill includes provisions for state reimbursement, which is essential for sustainable implementation. I encourage continued consideration of staffing, scheduling, and outreach support so schools can implement this policy effectively and maximize student participation.

HB478 This testimony is in favor of the enactment of a Fine Arts Seal of Excellence on high school diplomas. In considering the Fine Arts Seal of Excellence on a diploma, a lot is to be considered. Guidelines and criteria should reflect the dedication students have given to the Fine Arts Program of their school district to receive such an honor. This honor would be not only an encouragement to the dedication and participation of the programs that really compliment the educational experience students receive academically, This recognition would not only serve to encourage the students participating and dedicating themselves, but also be a lighthouse to beacon prospective students to participate in such programs. We have long known the value of such programs to improve academic improvement, aid in responsibility through punctuality and taking ownership of being a part of team effort. These skills are valuable and carry young people into adulthood and through the rest of their lives. To recognize their significant dedication to such programs for most of their formidable high school years will I believe shape stronger intellect and success in our future graduates. Please deeply consider the positive impact this will have on future graduates when approving this measure. Respectfully, Mrs. O’Neill

This is ridiculous. This assumes the parents cannot take care of their children at home. The commentators in favor of this bill receive money to purchase food for kids. Some of the meals are too small to be considered actually nutritious. Add, by passing this bill, it would strain all school transportation services as they would have to operate EARLIER than the current schedules. This means the child must be awaken earlier, to catch the school bus in order to be on time for a school breakfast. This is unrealistic. The commentators ignore reality; waking up a child early to catch a bus impedes their learning capabilities as it has been proven that a developing brain doesn't not begin retaining new information until a few hours after waking up from sleep. It is up to the parents to feed their children. This will only cause more harm than good. Please do not vote for this.

Hmm... I had previously seen some dissenting commentary on this bill that 'may' be 'missing'? No To HB 96. Our nation is 38 Trillion in Debt. Breakfast should be BEFORE school, not something that may or will impede the school day nor invite cockroaches and other vermin in classrooms...and disrupt LEARNING time. (i) serving breakfast after the start of the instructional day, (ii) providing grab-and-go breakfast options, (iii) serving and permitting the consumption of breakfast in classrooms, and (iv) providing multiple points of access for school breakfast. If Virginia implements this bill, all schools will be required to adjust their transportation schedules to ensure that all children INCLUDING SPECIAL EDUCATION CHILDREN WHO MAY BE PLACED AT PRIVATE DAY SCHOOLS, PLACED BY DISTRICT OR PARENTAL PLACEMENT HAVE EQUAL ACCESS = FREE BREAKFAST FOR THEM ALSO AT EVERY SPECIAL EDUCATION PRIVATE DAY SCHOOL. Otherwise, once AGAIN, Virginia is Discriminating against its most vulnerable populations of those who may truly NOT be able to speak for themselves AT ALL. Stop legislating discrimination vs. disabled children. K-12 INCLUDES THEIR RIGHTS ALSO. Please Amend This Bill or Vote NO due to Discrimination Concerns. Every Single K-12 Bill MUST go through IDEA and Disability 504/ADA Rehabilitation Act Rights Lens. Otherwise, Virginia continues to be intentionally NON-Inviting and NON-Inclusive of the Disabled Populations. Thank you.

School breakfast and lunch programs are a proven investment in children, education, and community stability. They were created to combat child hunger and malnutrition, ensuring students had the nutrition necessary for good health and academic success. From their inception, school meals have linked child welfare to national security, public health, and agricultural strength. The National School Lunch Act of 1946 was born out of the Great Depression, when widespread poverty made it clear that hungry children could not learn. That reality has not changed. While times look different on the surface, the need is just as urgent — especially in rural communities like ours, where 60% of households live in poverty. For many families, the breakfast and lunch their children receive at school each day are not supplemental — they are essential. These meals reduce food insecurity, improve attendance and behavior, and directly support academic achievement. They also ease financial strain on families who are already struggling to afford housing, transportation, and healthcare. Behind every statistic is a real family. I recently encountered a woman working in our schools who took food from a breakfast cart so her children would have something to eat over the weekend. She did not receive paid time during winter break and was living in a hotel or her van with her teenage children. With support from a local food pantry, she was able to get through the holidays, but soon after she lost her transportation and had to leave the community to live with family. Her story is not unique — it reflects the quiet hardship many working families face every day. School nutrition programs cannot meet these growing needs without adequate support. Rising food costs, labor shortages, equipment needs, and compliance requirements make it increasingly difficult to sustain high-quality programs. We cannot continue to provide scratch-cooked meals, fresh ingredients, fair wages, and benefits without increased reimbursement per meal. This is not about excess — it is about sustainability and equity. When we underfund school meals, we place the burden on the very children and families who can least afford it. When we invest properly, we create healthier students, stronger schools, and more resilient communities. The case for school meals was clear in 1946, and it is clear today. Hunger remains a barrier to learning, and school meals remain one of the most effective tools we have to remove it. Continued and increased investment in school breakfast and lunch programs is not optional — it is essential. ________________________________________

HB38 will ensure that teachers are better prepared to address the mental health needs, specifically of their most vulnerable students. As a former special education teacher, I saw students with many of the risk factors outlined struggle to access the mental health support they needed. This is especially critical in Virginia, which ranked 32nd in youth mental health according to 2025 Mental Health America data. While we must continue to invest in additional staff with extensive mental health training, teachers remain on the front lines of this crisis and need up to date interventions supported by data, such as those outlined by the American Psychological Association. Overall, this bill is one step in the right direction to equip school staff to better support all students. -Liz Nigro, Voices for Virginia's Children HB96 is an essential investment, particularly at this moment with cuts to SNAP, rising grocery bills, and the discontinuation of the main survey tracking food security over time. Specifically, by providing school breakfast to all students, families in Virginia could save an average of $315 each school year. This equals roughly two months of diapers and one month’s electric bill for a single-family home. According to 2025 No Kid Hungry polling data, 97% of Virginians want to end child hunger, and we believe HB38 is a great first step. -Liz Nigro, Voices for Virginia's Children We support HB210, especially at this moment. According to No Kid Hungry’s 2025 poll, 84% of Virginians say food costs are rising faster than their income and 52% of families with K-12 students report going into debt due to the price of groceries. School meals could provide food relief but many families find themselves in school meal debt, particularly in the 36 districts with no or limited participation in the community eligibility provision (CEP), which provides free school breakfast and lunch to all without household applications. This bill serves to protect some of the Commonwealth's most vulnerable families and that is why we urge you to support this bill. -Liz Nigro, Voices for Virginia's Children

I am writing on behalf of Greater Richmond Fit4Kids (and as a parent/Member of Virginia's Healthy School Meals for All Coalition) in support of HB 96. Fit4Kids is a Richmond, VA-based nonprofit that provides nutrition and physical activity-related programming and education in multiple Central Virginia school districts, including the City of Richmond, Chesterfield County, Henrico County, the City of Petersburg, and the City of Hopewell. As school program providers, we see the positive effects of school breakfast on a regular basis, including improved student attendance and concentration, positive behavior, and reduced hunger and food insecurity. Providing free school breakfast to every student also helps reduce stigma and household food costs, while ensuring that all students across Virginia have the nutrition they need to start the day ready to learn. Thank you for supporting all of Virginia’s students!

As a school Food service manager, I see first hand how providing meals in schools helps our student grow and learn. Free breakfast for all students should be something that we provide for all students every day. The benefits include better behavior, easier to focus and learn, improved health and growth of each child. This is an investment in our future that gives us tremendous returns on the investment.

I encourage your support of this bill to provide breakfast to all students, I work in school nutrition and I am also a parent of 4 students in school. Breakfast is essential and taking down the barrier of cost for all students would help many get that fuel for the day.

https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HB38 Violates Constitution as aimed at minorities, also singling them out for being "mental" which can be a source of bullying. https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HB96 Waste, fraud and abuse program. No affordability in where people who are working 2 jobs to pay for their kids, should have to pay for others who make more than they do. https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HB178 This should not be used to buy votes. That's exactly what it is.

I’m writing as a school nutrition professional, mother, and Virginia Beach resident to urge your support for HB96. Providing fully funded, universal free breakfast ensures every student starts the day nourished and ready to learn. Free breakfast for all eliminates stigma, allowing students to participate without fear of being singled out. Schools that adopt universal breakfast consistently see higher participation, improved attendance and punctuality, and calmer, more focused classrooms. Research and local experience show that well‑fed students perform better academically and exhibit stronger engagement throughout the day. HB96 is a practical investment that reduces administrative burden, supports families, and strengthens student success. Thank you for considering this important legislation.

I’m writing as a school nutrition professional, mother, and Virginia Beach resident to urge your support for SB4. Providing fully funded, universal free breakfast ensures every student starts the day nourished and ready to learn. Free breakfast for all eliminates stigma, allowing students to participate without fear of being singled out. Schools that adopt universal breakfast consistently see higher participation, improved attendance and punctuality, and calmer, more focused classrooms. Research and local experience show that well‑fed students perform better academically and exhibit stronger engagement throughout the day. SB4 is a practical investment that reduces administrative burden, supports families, and strengthens student success. Thank you for considering this important legislation.

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day and should be made available and free for every student. This would allow young people, whether they are facing challenges at home or not, to start the day off not feeling hungry. Also those that are facing food insecurity would be able to concentrate on learning and not where their next meal is coming from. Children shouldn't have to worry about food. They should only have to worry about being kids, having fun, learning, growing, and being the best they can be.

My names is Larry Wade, Sr. and I serve as Director of Schools Nutrition Services for Chesapeake Public Schools, in Chesapeake, Virginia. I’m writing as a school nutrition professional to urge your support for HB96. Providing fully funded, universal free breakfast ensures every student starts the day nourished and ready to learn. In Chesapeake, we’ve seen an increase in our average daily participation for breakfast jump from 8,800 per day prior to COVID  to a daily average of more than 12,000 breakfast meals per day in December 2025.  That’s an increase in breakfast participation of more than 36%.  While our breakfast participation has improved, I believe there are so many more students in my district and around the Commonwealth who would benefit from school breakfast at no cost. Free breakfast for all eliminates stigma, allowing students to participate without fear of being singled out. Schools that adopt universal breakfast consistently see higher participation, improved attendance and punctuality, and calmer, more focused classrooms. Research and local experience show that well‑fed students perform better academically and exhibit stronger engagement throughout the day. HB96 is a practical investment that reduces administrative burden, supports families, and strengthens student success. Thank you for considering this important legislation.

My names is Larry Wade, Sr. and I serve as Director of Schools Nutrition Services for Chesapeake Public Schools, in Chesapeake, Virginia. I’m writing as a school nutrition professional to urge your support for SB4. Providing fully funded, universal free breakfast ensures every student starts the day nourished and ready to learn. In Chesapeake, we’ve seen an increase in our average daily participation for breakfast jump from 8,800 per day prior to COVID  to a daily average of more than 12,000 breakfast meals per day in December 2025.  That’s an increase in breakfast participation of more than 36%.  While our breakfast participation has improved, I believe there are so many more students in my district and around the Commonwealth who would benefit from school breakfast at no cost. Free breakfast for all eliminates stigma, allowing students to participate without fear of being singled out. Schools that adopt universal breakfast consistently see higher participation, improved attendance and punctuality, and calmer, more focused classrooms. Research and local experience show that well‑fed students perform better academically and exhibit stronger engagement throughout the day. HB96 is a practical investment that reduces administrative burden, supports families, and strengthens student success. Thank you for considering this important legislation.

Good morning members of the House Education and K-12 Subcommittee, Thank you for your service to the Commonwealth. I hope that the session is off to a good start for each of you. I am writing as the Public Policy and Legislative Chair for the School Nutrition Association of Virginia to share our strong support for Delegate Bennett-Parker's "School Breakfast for All" bill (HB96). The School Nutrition Association of Virginia supports fully funded free meals for all students. We believe that access to no cost school meals is essential for student success. Thank you for your consideration of this important legislation. Sincerely, Andrea Early, MS, RDN

I believe that the first meal of the day is the most important meal of the day. All students should have access to a healthy breakfast at no cost. The students learn better when they are not hungry. Also there are a lot of parents who can not afford to pay for the meal.

I write in support of HB 96, School Breakfast for All. We know that children learn better when they are not hungry. Given the Federal cuts backs to SNAP and the ever present fear of ICE particularly in our low income communities, which may be more likely to be minorities in some communities, providing children with breakfast is critical. The fear of ICE has also led fewer families to apply for school meals in those non-CEP schools. Please support this important legislation. Thank you.

Hello, My name is Jennifer Williams. I am the Director of Food and Nutrition Services for Rockingham County Public Schools with degrees in Dietetics and Public Health, as well as a parent of children attending public schools. I am writing to voice my support for HB96 and to urge passage of this much needed legislation. I support this legislation because: 1 - It supports Virginia students: Schools that adopt universal breakfast consistently see improved attendance and punctuality, and calmer, more focused classrooms. Universal free breakfast ensures every student starts the day nourished and ready to learn. Additionally, universal free breakfast eliminates stigma, allowing students to participate without fear of being singled out. 2 - It supports Virginia families: Whether you are a family struggling to make ends meet or your son accidentally left his breakfast on the kitchen table because he was thinking about his test in second period, having universal free breakfast available at school is a relief for families, knowing their child will not go hungry during the school day and/or knowing their child is receiving a nutritious meal that they might not be able to provide at home. 3 - It supports Virginia school staff: Teachers and school administrators have enough on their plates in today's classrooms. When universal free breakfast is not available, like in Rockingham County, teachers and school administrators are involved in helping school nutrition departments with free and reduced meal application communication with families, daily breakfast and lunch money collection, following up with parents on delinquent payments, as well as worrying about students who they know are suffering from hunger. Universal free breakfast reduces all these administrative burdens listed above, giving back time to teachers to teach, and allowing school nutrition staff to focus on what they do best - feeding and nourishing our Virginia students. Thank you for considering this important legislation. Jennifer Williams, MPH, RD Director of Food and Nutrition Services Rockingham County Public Schools 1210 North Liberty Street Harrisonburg, VA 22802 540-434-7783

I support this bill. Having a son who does not qualify for free lunch but nieces, nephews and cousins who do. Being the kid who did quality, I see it in many aspects. Families that already struggle have to chase paperwork down to prove they qualify. Everyone knows the kids who get these lunches are less fortunate and that can affect a kid's mental health as well as their self image and even how others treat or perceive them. If it was made across the board it would alleviate some stress that kids shouldn’t have.

I support this bill because every child should not have to worry about their next meal. They should be able to focus more easily on their education because not every family may be able to afford food.

I agree with this.

I opposed DEI, SEL, and other forms of discrimination in our education systems. It is shameful public education system continues to lower standards and expectations for some students. Students and teachers need to be rewarded for their hard work without focusing on their race, gender, religion, or economic status. Diversity and inclusion Please judge human beings by their character and actions. DEI is a Marxist ideology and we have witnessed the failures. We don’t need to have a religion or race month to justify the incredible sacrifices, accomplishments and achievements of everyone in the world. It is disgraceful to recognize and celebrate one group over the other. No wonder many parents don’t want to send their children to public schools anymore.

HB38 will ensure that teachers are better prepared to address the mental health needs, specifically of their most vulnerable students. As a former special education teacher, I saw students with many of the risk factors outlined struggle to access the mental health support they needed. This is especially critical in Virginia, which ranked 32nd in youth mental health according to 2025 Mental Health America data. While we must continue to invest in additional staff with extensive mental health training, teachers remain on the front lines of this crisis and need up to date interventions supported by data, such as those outlined by the American Psychological Association. Overall, this bill is one step in the right direction to equip school staff to better support all students. -Liz Nigro, Voices for Virginia's Children HB96 is an essential investment, particularly at this moment with cuts to SNAP, rising grocery bills, and the discontinuation of the main survey tracking food security over time. Specifically, by providing school breakfast to all students, families in Virginia could save an average of $315 each school year. This equals roughly two months of diapers and one month’s electric bill for a single-family home. According to 2025 No Kid Hungry polling data, 97% of Virginians want to end child hunger, and we believe HB38 is a great first step. -Liz Nigro, Voices for Virginia's Children We support HB210, especially at this moment. According to No Kid Hungry’s 2025 poll, 84% of Virginians say food costs are rising faster than their income and 52% of families with K-12 students report going into debt due to the price of groceries. School meals could provide food relief but many families find themselves in school meal debt, particularly in the 36 districts with no or limited participation in the community eligibility provision (CEP), which provides free school breakfast and lunch to all without household applications. This bill serves to protect some of the Commonwealth's most vulnerable families and that is why we urge you to support this bill. -Liz Nigro, Voices for Virginia's Children

Greetings, My name is Chlo'e Edwards, and I am the Policy Director at New Virginia Majority. We support the requirement that school divisions annually report school meal debt. Transparent reporting is a critical step toward understanding and addressing food insecurity among Virginia’s students and families. School meal debt is not the result of individual failure but a symptom of systemic gaps in wages, housing affordability, healthcare access, and public benefits. When families are forced to choose between rent, utilities, and food, children should not bear the consequences in the classroom. Requiring annual reporting helps ensure that these realities are visible rather than hidden. Sincerely, Chlo'e Edwards Policy Director New Virginia Majority