A school system in Rhode Island is sending debt collectors after families over unpaid lunch bills. The news recently broke after the Cranston School District sent a letter to the students’ parents. Every family received the notice, even if they didn’t owe money to the school cafeteria.
In the letter, Robert Votto Jr., chief operating officer of Cranston Schools, stated that the district has written off $95,508 in unpaid lunch bills between September 1st, 2016 and June 30th, 2018. He added that the current school year’s outstanding balance is at $45,859.
“The District lunch program cannot continue to lose revenue,” the letter read. Votto also stated that the district previously “attempted to collect unpaid lunch balances without much success.”
So, Cranston Schools has turned to a collection agency for help. The company is called Transworld Systems.
Starting January 2nd, 2019, parents who owe $20 or more — and who have balances more than 60 days late — will receive collection notices. And according to NBC 10 News, the district wants to take a “soft approach” by sending letters to parents instead of calling them.
In Cranston, public elementary school lunch costs $2.50 a day. In middle school and high school, it costs $3.25 each day.
NBC 10 News also shares that students with an outstanding balance will still receive food. Additionally, these students will get the same meals as paying students.
While the process has yet to start, people are (unsurprisingly) not happy about the news. Below is a comment on the Cranston School District’s Facebook page:
There is some good news, though. A fundraiser for Cranston Public Schools has been set up by a resident of North Providence, Rhode Island. Here’s to hoping some good news unfolds over the next month.
