Liberation Starts with Breakfast: Ensuring Equity in Wake County’s Public Schools This School Year
As we prepare to welcome a new school year in Wake County, Roots of Wisdom Scholars stands rooted in a single truth: education must be liberating, not limiting. Yet far too often, our scholars—especially Black, Brown, and economically disenfranchised youth—are forced to navigate systems that prioritize bureaucracy over belonging and compliance over care.
Last week, the Wake County Public School System (WCPSS) announced several important updates concerning federal education funds, school meal access, and student assignments. We acknowledge these updates as more than logistical changes—they are critical touchpoints in our shared struggle for educational justice.
Federal Funding Released—but Our Fight Isn’t Over
We welcome the news that the U.S. Department of Education will begin releasing previously withheld federal funds to North Carolina public schools. But this announcement doesn’t erase the harm caused by the delay, nor the instability families endured while vital resources were held hostage by state-level political games. The fact that schools had to operate under the weight of uncertainty exposes the fragility of systems that should be designed to support, not strain, our most marginalized learners.
At Roots of Wisdom Scholars, we believe our students’ access to a high-quality education should never be subject to partisan power plays. We will continue to advocate, organize, and elevate the voices of families most impacted by these inequities until educational resources are no longer treated as privileges, but protected as rights.
Universal Breakfast: A Start, Not the Solution
We are encouraged to see that the Universal Free Breakfast Program has expanded to include Carroll Magnet Middle, Garner Magnet High, and South Garner High for the 2025–26 school year. This expansion means more students will begin their day nourished, focused, and ready to learn. That’s a win.
But we ask: Why not all schools? Why not every child, regardless of zip code or family income? We affirm that access to healthy food is a cornerstone of equitable education. Roots of Wisdom Scholars will continue to push for the universalization of this program across Wake County—not as a privilege offered to a few, but a guaranteed right for all.
Rewriting the Rules of Student Assignment
As WCPSS invites public feedback on student assignments, we urge our families—especially Black, Brown, and Indigenous voices often excluded from these decisions—to make their presence known. These policies shape the contours of opportunity and access. Your voice isn’t just needed—it’s necessary.
Our liberation demands that we not only participate in these conversations but also redefine how school assignment systems are built—from tools of containment to instruments of equity. We’re calling on our community to reflect deeply and respond boldly. Roots of Wisdom Scholars stands ready to support you in navigating the ThoughtExchange process and ensuring your concerns are heard, honored, and reflected in final decisions.
Centering Safety Without Criminalization
Finally, while we support safe environments for every scholar, we approach the NC S.A.F.E. for Schools toolkit with caution. Gun safety is vital. But so is ensuring that policies born out of fear don’t morph into surveillance or criminalization of Black and Brown students. Safety cannot come at the cost of dignity. As this resource is implemented, Roots of Wisdom Scholars will monitor its impact closely and continue advocating for student wellness frameworks rooted in healing, not punishment.
Our Commitment: Liberation is Our Curriculum
This school year, Roots of Wisdom Scholars recommits to our sacred work: standing beside families, supporting scholars, and dismantling barriers to access and equity. Whether you’re seeking help navigating meal assistance, need support sharing your feedback on school policies, or simply want a trusted advocate—we are here.
Because equity isn’t a buzzword. It’s a demand.
And education shouldn’t just teach—it should liberate.
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