Lunch Lady Suspended For Not Forcing Kids to Eat Veggie Burgers

Kathleen Cunningham, most likely the hero lunch lady Adam Sandler sang about, was suspended from her job because she allowed children to substitute a bagel and cream cheese for a disgusting veggie burger. Apparently, there is a strict no substitutions policy for school lunches.

From Boston.Com here:

A food services manager at a Newton elementary school said she was suspended this week for feeding students other items after they refused to eat the day’s veggie burgers for lunch.

Kathleen Cunningham said she was suspended when Angier Elementary School received veggie burgers instead of the grilled cheese sandwiches that were on the menu.

When about seven or eight students refused to eat the veggie burgers, she said, she let them choose other lunch items, including a bagel lunch or a breakfast lunch.  “Morally, can I let a kid go without a lunch when he’s telling me he’s not going to eat?” Cunningham said. “No, I’m not going to do that.”

Michael Cronin, chief of operations for the school district, would not comment on Cunningham’s case, saying the school system does not discuss personnel matters. He said the food ordering system is intended to give parents — rather than school employees — decision-making power of what children eat.

Cunningham showed a Globe reporter a copy of a memo she received from Cronin.

The document says: “Notwithstanding that you have been repeatedly counseled regarding workplace standards and been given reminders regarding adherence to the food service program’s policies, you continue to refuse to implement food service policies and procedures. Furthermore, you have given no assurance that you intend to follow the procedures in the future.”

The missive says Cunningham will face further discipline if she continues to flout policy, up to and including dismissal. She acknowledged she has been reprimanded for failing to follow the school’s policy on meal substitutions in the past. Asked if she would continue to violate the policy in the future, Cunningham said: “I can’t allow the child to go without a meal. If they come to me and tell me they’re hungry, I have to make sure they’re fed.”

Of course, as I have documented numerous times, a teacher can anally rape a kindergartner, post the video up on YouTube, and keep his job while on paid leave for his crime.  But refuse to shove a disgusting veggie burger down a tot’s throat?  That’s a firing!