Senator Lugar Visits Decatur Township Schools
Addresses Teachers and Joins Local Children for Lunch

On Thursday, August 9, over a chicken patty sandwich, Sun Chips, fresh kiwi slices and pineapple, popsicles, and milk, Senator Lugar lunched at Stephen Decatur Elementary, a site provider of nutritious lunch for low-income children during the summer months when school is not in session. 

“It’s a personal privilege and thrill to eat lunch with you,” said Senator Lugar, who shared a table with ten students aged 5 to 18.  More than 150 children under aged 18 also ate lunch for free; many were accompanied by parents who could purchase their own lunch for $2. 

The students also shared thank you letters with Senator Lugar for his work to ensure access to a nutritious lunch in the summer.

Before lunch, Senator Lugar was briefed by Katie Rogers, Director of Child Nutrition for Decatur Township.  The Lugar Pilot program, which is part of the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP), has allowed Decatur Township to operate nine sites this summer.  There are 780 sites total in Indiana, an increase of 372 since 2001 when Indiana was included as part of the initial Lugar Pilots. 

The SFSP was created by Congress in 1969 to help fill the gap in low-income neighborhoods by providing low-income children with the nutrition they need throughout the summer months when school lunches are not provided.  Senator Lugar recognized, however, that many schools and other potential providers chose not to participate because of bureaucratic red tape in receiving reimbursements.  In 1999, he introduced legislation which established the Lugar Pilot program which seeks to reduce the bureaucratic obstacles in reimbursement and remedy a decline in participation in the SFSP.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the 13 original Lugar Pilot states have increased participation by 43.3 percent while participation in non-Lugar Pilot states has decreased participation by 14.6 percent.

Today, a total of 26 states and Puerto Rico participate in the program, and Senator Lugar continues his legislative efforts to expand the program nationwide. 

Expansion of the SFSP is also a priority in Senator Lugar’s farm bill proposal.  Additional information is available at: lugar.senate.gov/farmbill. 

Senator Lugar also began the day with an address to more than 300 teachers and faculty of Decatur Township schools on their opening day of staff orientation at the Decatur Intermediate Learning Center. 

The Center is located across the road from Lugar’s 604-acre farm, and Senator Lugar shared family stories of his father, Marvin, a graduate from Decatur Township schools, and his grandfather, Webster, who coached Marvin on the Valley Mills High School basketball team.

Decatur Township is focused on reinventing their schools to prepare students for the 21st century and a global economy.  One example of their unique approach is the opening of five small learning communities at Decatur Central High School this fall which allow students to choose an emphasis in current events, global studies and human interaction; fine arts and creative expression; computers and new technologies; technology and communication; and hands-on inquiry. 

Senator Lugar was introduced by Superintendent Don Stinson and briefed on special achievements in Decatur Township by Gary Pellico, Decatur Challenger Learning Center; Kevin Leineweber, Principal, Decatur Discovery Academy Charter School; Joe Preda, Principal, Small Learning Communities at Decatur Central High School; and Susan Strube, Academic Coach, West Newton Elementary School. 

“I thank you for your own scholarship, compassion, understanding and observation of what’s happening in education in our state and around the world,” said Senator Lugar, who invited all of the teachers present to write him with their observations of No Child Left Behind, which is up for reauthorization this year. 

Senator Lugar also asked teachers to encourage students to participate in exchange programs abroad.  “Our students need to think about other languages and foreign cultures and people.  “I applaud each of your own special efforts to heighten the imagination of our students, of who they may become and where they may work in the future.”