Candidate urges universal free school meals and study of seat belts on buses

Isaac Greenwood, who identified himself as a candidate for county mayor, used his five-minute public comment to urge the Clarksville-Montgomery County School Board to consider two safety and equity measures.

Greenwood asked the board to pursue the Community Eligibility Provision, a federal option he said would use the program’s 1.6 multiplier on the district’s eligible students to make breakfast and lunch free for all students. Greenwood estimated that, under that approach, the county’s share would be roughly $3.4 million to $4 million — which he described as "less than 1% of the school board's budget." He said that figure would cover free meals for every child without income verification.

He also urged the board to study adding seat belts to school buses. Citing community discussions and an estimated retrofit cost, Greenwood said "about $8,000" could retrofit an existing bus with seat belts and suggested a phased approach — one or two buses per year — to reduce costs while increasing student safety.

Greenwood acknowledged safety concerns raised about belts in rare fire or water-submersion incidents but said those events are uncommon and that properly secured students evacuate more quickly and orderly in many crash scenarios.

The board did not record questions or responses to Greenwood’s remarks on the transcript; his statements were presented as public comment rather than a formal proposal before the board.