Petition asks for Pocatello lunch lady to be reinstated

A petition posted online to save a Pocatello lunch lady’s job has nearly 60-thousand supporters Wednesday afternoon.

The petition (http://www.thepetitionsite.com/393/046/931/do-not-let-a-child-suffer-need-a-hot-lunch/) is asking Dalene Bowden be reinstated her job in the lunch room at Irving Middle School in Pocatello.

Bowden was apparently fired from her job for giving free lunch to a 12-year-old girl who didn’t have any money.

Bowden posted a letter from the Pocatello/Chubbuck school district letter to her on her Facebook page stating she was terminated for the incident.

The Idaho State Journal reported Tuesday that Bowden admitted she broke the rules, but would do exactly the same thing again regardless of the consequences.

School District policy states students can charge up to $11 on lunch accounts. But school district spokeswoman Shelley Allen told the Idaho State Journal the students are still provided something to eat. “They try to do it privately and discreetly,” she said.

Bowden offered to pay for the meal and found out later the child was within her $11 limit and could have charged for the meal.

The petition created by Raushelle Goodin-Guzman said, “This kitchen aid deserves to keep her job! Lunch room policies should prioritize kindness and making sure kids receive a nutritious lunch so they can be ready to learn. The policy is wrong! We need to change the policy or change the people making them!”

The Pocatello city offices have been kept busy with phone calls about the situation. They released a statement today saying they’re not involved with the school district decision.

The release did say Mayor Brian Blad is actively trying to get a meeting with the district’s superintendent to discuss the situation and how it’s impacting the community.