Mass. school district considers cap on lunch debts

ACUSHNET, Mass. — Limits to students borrowing lunch funds were discussed by the Acushnet School Committee along with other policy issues and updates on Dec. 16.

Business Manager Kristin Flynn updated the board on the current negative balance created when students who have forgotten lunch money and food from home need to "borrow" funds against their account in order to eat. While borrowing against a student's account is allowed so the student can eat lunch, families of the students who owe money are expected to pay it back eventually and are advised against letting the balances grow too large. Flynn sent letters home two weeks ago to the families of students who owe $10 or more to remind them of the debt they owe.

"The deficit has grown, so we're trying different ways to communicate to the parents to make them aware and to ask them to pay," said Flynn.

She said if there is money owed at the end of the year, the unpaid funds will have to come out of the local school budget. Flynn suggested that the School Committee consider a policy that limits the number of meals that a student can borrow money for. After a certain number of borrowed and unpaid meals, the student would be given a less expensive, simple lunch option instead of the menu item for that day.

Superintendent Stephen Donovan pointed out that free and reduced lunch is an option for those who qualify, and that families are welcome to apply at any time throughout the year. "There are a lot of reasons people might not be able to pay," Donovan said.

Flynn said parents interested in monitoring their child's lunch funds ask to get an email notification when their account balance is negative. She said the Business Office can even send out emails