SNOHOMISH, Wash.-- The only thing 7-year-old Xavier loves more than his math homework are his fruits and vegetables. But Xavier's parents say they're concerned because on Oct. 20, the first-grader was denied school lunch at Cascade View Elementary.
“It was a sack lunch. It was in a bag, she was passing it around to everybody. The lunch lady said, ‘Guess what? You can’t have a lunch.’ She said that. She said I can't have a lunch,” Xavier said.
Xavier is on the free lunch program. But instead of getting a meal, Xavier was sent home with a grumbling tummy and a slip saying he had a negative lunch balance, Xavier's dad, Eric, told KCPQ.
“My question was never answered as to why he was denied. I was very mad. I couldn't believe it happened. It happened to me as a child and I could still feel that hurt and I can only imagine what he went through,” Eric said.
The Snohomish County School District said they are investigating. The school spokesperson says whenever a student’s account is negative $20 or more, the child gets a cheese sandwich and unlimited fruits and veggies from the salad bar, along with a drink.
Eric said this does not apply to his son.
“We get funds from the state, food stamp wise, which means his balance should be covered,” Eric said.
Eric said he's angry over how the school handled the situation and he's concerned over how it's affected Xavier. He is now considering removing his children from the school.
