Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Student Debt topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Committee reaffirms district will not deny meals over debt; discusses collection practices
Summary
The committee reviewed Policy 225 on student debt and confirmed that no student will be denied a meal. Staff described collection practices for nonessential purchases and consequences like withholding prom tickets or caps for seniors, while noting graduation cannot be withheld for debt.
Council Rock School District policy committee members reviewed Policy 225 (student debt) on May 5 and reiterated that the district will not deny meals to students who lack funds.
Michael Roosevelt, school board, said the district will feed any child even if their account balance is negative and described community fundraising partnerships that help offset unpaid meal charges. “No student will be turned away from eating a meal because of…any debt they may have,” Roosevelt said. He noted the district receives community offsets (he said, “I think this year’s check is 10,900”), and that nonessential a la carte purchases at the high school may be restricted for students with unpaid balances.
Staff emphasized that Policy 225 covers nonfood obligations (lost textbooks, unreturned uniforms, library fines) and that districts use administrative levers—such as holding cap-and-gown distribution or restricting tickets for events—after prior notice. The committee confirmed that graduation cannot be withheld for student debt; staff described alternative measures such as withholding optional items (caps, gowns, prom tickets) until accounts are resolved.
The committee did not change the policy language at the May meeting.
