Principals responsible for unpaid lunch balance

July 15 — After three years of large balances owed for unpaid school lunches, the Rapides Parish School Board will hold principals responsible for balances at their schools.

Board members voted in June to pay the $35,957 owed this year for unpaid student lunches out of the district’s general fund. Beginning in August, that money will come from individual school funds, Food Services Director Erma Davis said.

The board approved a plan July 2 based on recommendations Davis presented to tackle the overage that occurred for a third consecutive year. The district was saddled with balances of nearly $70,000 in 2012 and nearly $60,000 in 2011.

Cafeteria managers at each school will report weekly on balances to their principals, Davis said.