School Board Forum, October 26th

Hello, just a few updates on what is happening on the campaign trail.

The League of Women Voters, YWCA, Hastings Chamber of Commerce and Hastings Area of Retired Teachers are hosting the *only* Public School Board Forum on October 26th, 2010.

There are 8 candidates for 4 spots on the School Board so this is a perfect opportunity to see where the candidates stand on issues.

School Board Forum

October 26

7:30pm

Hastings Public Library

Please come and support my campaign for School Board at the forum. I will also have yard signs and bumper stickers at the event that you can take home with you (or you can grab one off my porch right now at 1010 North Denver Ave.).

The Hastings Tribune sent out a great questionnaire for candidates. They will publish the answers in their election special edition close to Nov. 2nd.

We have been out putting up yard signs and talking to voters. If you want to help go door-to-door with us, please send me an email janekleeb@gmail.com. We could use some help over the next few weekends.

And lastly, I hope you saw my new billboard that is up on Burlington Avenue. Its on the electronic billboard, so take a look and let me know what you think!

-Jane

School Lunches: Congress Set to Vote

I am running for school board to ensure our kids are eating healthy lunches.  This week, Congress will vote on a bill that can help make this goal a reality.

While Congress is wrestling with two bills on school lunch funding over the next week—and they only have a week since they must pass the bill by next Friday or the school lunch money runs out. 

The background on the two bills gets complicated, but essentially, the bills are in the House side at this point since the Senate does not have time to vote on another school lunch bill.

We know that healthy school lunches help our kids learn in class, teaches them healthy eating habits and decreases behavior problems.  Passing this bill in Congress is a no-brainer.  It’s time Congress gets smart and starts to invest more into our kids’ school lunches.  It’s the right investment, at the right time.

The Problem

Schools are scrambling to find extra money on already strained budgets.  To offset costs, some districts turn to outside vendors, such as fast food companies, to sell food to our kids. This is not a long-term solution and it is swapping out one problem for another. 

Our schools have not received an increase in the money they have to spend on each child’s lunch since I was born (1973)!  I do not blame the schools, we have to look at the way our school lunches are funded and what food is made available to our schools.

The Solution

Creating a system of locally grown food is not only healthier for our kids; it also grows our local economy. 

Finding solutions to the ongoing concerns around school lunches should involve kids, local businesses, parents and school staff.  We can start with small steps, including school vegetable gardens or obtaining better transportation equipment to deliver fresh food from the school district’s central kitchen.

Tackling school lunches is a huge challenge.  But our town does not shy away from challenges, we pull together to do what’s right for our kids—and that means healthier school lunches.

You Can Help

CALL: You can help by calling our House member Rep. Adrian Smith and urge him to pass the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act. Rep. Adrian Smith's number is 308-384-3900.

YARD SIGN: You can also request one of my campaign’s yard signs to show your support of healthy, locally grown, school lunches in Hastings!