Policy News Utah State Board of Education: School food service supply-chain disruptions being addressed The events of the past year and half have shown many Utahns the importance of school meals in keeping our children fed and ready to learn. Through several U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) waivers and program flexibilities, school food service programs are supporting student health and academic success by ensuring access to nutritious meals every day. School meals are available to eligible students free of charge this school year. What does this mean for Utah school meals? In short, reduced menu variety and meal service options, and frequent menu changes. For example, while the American appetite for chicken continues to grow each year, the chicken processing industry has been hit with their own struggles over the past year, from the unprecedented winter storms in Texas to their own labor shortages. This now means that orange chicken, a favorite lunch entree at many schools, is on the menu less frequently this school year. (Read More) Ground broken on new Cyprus High School in Magna Construction has commenced on the new Cyprus High School, and the Magna community and Granite School District are celebrating this momentous step in the schoolâs 100+ year history. The new building is being constructed with 21st century learning in mind; having an emphasis on collaborative spaces, flexible learning environments, enhanced security, and the ability to adapt to educational needs for decades to come. The school is anticipated to be completed in the spring of 2025. (Read More) Governor Cox declares November as Advanced Zero Emission Vehicle and Fuels Awareness Month Utah kicked off the 13th annual Advanced Zero Emission Vehicle and Fuels Awareness Month with an event Monday showcasing the stateâs efforts to advance development of clean transportation choices in both the private and public sectors. Governor Spencer Coxâs official declaration was read by Thom Carter, Executive Director of the Governorâs Office of Energy Development. The declaration highlights the emerging portfolio of advanced fueled vehicles, both public and private, including fuels produced from Utah-sourced agricultural and municipal wastes, renewable electric, hydrogen, methane, and biofuels. (Read More) Reps. Owens, Kustoff, and Harder introduce bipartisan NCAA Accountability Act U.S. Reps. Burgess Owens (UT-04), David Kustoff (TN-08), and Josh Harder (CA-10) introduced the bipartisan NCAA Accountability Act to establish due process protections for universities and individuals under investigation by the NCAA for rule infractions. âThe National Collegiate Athletic Association has long wielded unchecked and unfair disciplinary power over Americaâs student-athletes, coaches, and universities,â said Rep. Owens. âThe NCAA Accountability Act is a commonsense charge to level the playing field by eliminating favoritism and bias in college athletics through increased transparency in rule enforcement and due process protections.â (Read More) Congressman Blake Mooreâs Bear River National Heritage Area Study Act passes the House of Representatives Today, in an overwhelmingly bipartisan vote of 399 to 23, the House of Representatives passed the Bear River National Heritage Area Study Act. Representative Moore introduced this legislation earlier this year in order to require the Secretary of the Interior to study the suitability and feasibility of establishing the Bear River Heritage Area in Utah and Idahoâs historic Bear River region, allowing local communities in the Bear River area to protect important elements of their heritage and promote the areaâs tourism industry. (Read More) Day 12: Sen. Lee continues fight against Bidenâs vaccine mandate Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT), for the twelfth day, spoke against President Bidenâs vaccine mandate on the Senate Floor today (Nov. 2) and promoted his bill to require that the Director of the CDC be confirmed by the Senate before taking office. S. 2734, the Restoring Trust in Public Health, is one of a series of bills introduced by Sen. Lee to combat the Biden Administrationâs vaccine overreach. Lee will continue his efforts against the mandate in coming weeks. (Read/Watch More) | 