Schools curb free meals; HISD OKs weapons plan

Houston-area schools with lower percentages of families in need of financial assistance are transitioning back to an application process for free meals for the first time since the pandemic began, under new federal regulations. Houston ISD, for example, has nine campuses that will require families to fill out eligibility forms for free lunches. The district’s remaining 267 campuses will continue to offer free meals to all students.

HISD trustees also approved a measure to buy 200 rifles, ammunition and 200 ballistic shields for the district’s police department, which Superintendent Millard House II said was not prepared to stop an active shooter.

Brett Coomer/Staff photographer Children get settled in on the first day of school at Alief ISD’s Martinez Early Learning Center.