District Plays Hardball with Deadbeat Lunch Accounts

The Sharpsville (Pa.) Area School District recently took seven parents of district students to court for theft of services over unpaid cafeteria bills totaling nearly $4,500, reports the Sharon Herald. At their arraignments, some brought their accounts up to date and the misdemeanor charge was then dismissed, while others agreed to make payments and their hearings were continued until May to give them time to pay their bills. The district says it went to court only after repeated efforts to collect using bills, letters and phone calls went unanswered, but no child was denied lunch over the issue.