Warwick Schools Reverse Policy on School Lunch Debt

Warwick Schools Reverse Policy on School Lunch Debt

Warwick Public Schools announced on their Facebook page Sunday that any students who had unpaid balances on their lunch accounts would no longer be eligible for a hot lunch progam, but instead would receive cold lunches such as a sunflower seed butter and jelly sandwich until their balance was paid. Now, the school committee has reversed course.

"In accordance with Warwick School Committee Policy EFB; Effective Monday, May 13, 2019, if money is owed on a paid, free, or reduced lunch account a sun butter and jelly sandwich will be given as the lunch choice until the balance owed is paid in full or a payment plan is set up through the food service office," the post read.

After national attention and criticism by poverty groups, elected officials and parents, the Warwick school system reversed course and issued a new policy on Wednesday.

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The school department tweeted, "We are working on a way to accept donations and equitably distribute them. Our total lunch debts are $77,000, $21K from families who subsequently qualified for free/reduced lunch. ~36% of our students receive free/reduced lunch. Formal statement coming soon."

READ NEW POLICY BELOW

Warwick Mayor Joe Solomon said in a statement late on Wednesday, “The decision by the Warwick School Committee to implement this policy is upsetting not only to me, but to many residents of our community. Continuing this policy could impact our children’s social development. It also sends the wrong message to our students regarding what the City of Warwick is actually about – ensuring that our students are in a positive environment where they can focus on learning, develop strong relationships, and not be distracted by other issues. I am very concerned about the negative effect this policy is having on our City, but more importantly, about the impact this could have on students throughout their life.

The School Committee is reportedly willing to reexamine their policies regarding donations from outside organizations and individuals, but they need to address the underlying management issues that created this issue in the first place.”

NEW POLICY

The Warwick School Committee Policy Subcommittee met today to review our School Lunch Policy. We have reviewed it thoughtfully with the best interest of our students in mind. That said, there are several points that we would like to clarify.

Warwick Public Schools participates in the National School Lunch Program. This is a federally assisted meal program that provides nutritionally balanced, low-cost or free lunches to children each school day. Each child who qualifies for the program is provided with a balanced meal at a reduced cost or no cost to the student and their parent(s).

In addition to the National School Lunch Program, Warwick's secondary schools offer students a variety of school lunch choices that include à la carte options such as pizza, fries, ice cream, and other snacks. Students may buy these items using funds from their school lunch accounts. If a student does not have funds in their school lunch account to purchase à la carte items, they are permitted to charge those items to their account.

A student’s parent/guardian is then sent two notices informing them of the debt owed to the School Department for those à la carte items. It is only at this point, if the debt is not cleared, that a student can no longer purchase à la carte items.

If a student does not have funds in their school lunch account to purchase à la carte items, they are not permitted to charge those items to that account. However, they are permitted to charge an entire meal.

Some relevant facts:

- 1653 Warwick students have a balance on their lunch accounts as of Friday, May 3, 2019;
- Lunch balances range from under $1.00 to over $500.00;
- The District's total outstanding lunch debt is $77,000;
- 72% of balances are from students who are not enrolled in the Free and Reduced Lunch Program;
- 28% of balances are from families that are currently enrolled in the Free/Reduced Lunch Program (district-wide, 34% of our students are enrolled in the program)
- Just this Monday & Tuesday alone approximately $14,000 was collected from outstanding balances, however, this is a moving target since today more debt was incurred;
- Free/reduced lunch applications are available throughout the year.

Steps in the communication process with parents is as follows:

Step 1: weekly lists showing students with balances along with letters addressed to parents/guardians are sent to schools.

Step 2: If balances are not cleared or a payment plan is not established within a month from first notice, Food Service Coordinator then mails out a second notice.

Step 3: If balances are not cleared or a payment plan is not established within a month of the second notice, the Coordinator of Non-Instructional Services mails out a third notice.

Step 4: If balances are not cleared or a payment plan is not established within a month from the third notice, the Executive Director of Finance and Operations mails out a final notice. These notices are sent by Certified mail.

Step 5: We are very flexible with our payment plan. Once a student is on a payment plan their account is considered in good standing.

In closing, please understand that no students are left without a meal under our current policy. Once the student’s access to à la carte items has been shut off, students are provided with a balanced lunch of a sun butter and jelly sandwich (which is also a daily choice on the school lunch menu), vegetables, fruit, and milk. However, after careful review and consideration the policy subcommittee is recommending that the Warwick School Committee allow the students their choice of lunch regardless of their account status.

With this Policy we seek to find a balance between being fiscally responsible and ensuring that all our students are provided with a healthy, nutritious lunch. With respect to donations, we are grateful for any financial support that has been offered. We are working with our attorneys to ensure that we accept donations in compliance with the law and that the donations are applied in an equitable manner. Please note that 72% of the debt has been accrued by paying students, *not* children on the Free and Reduced Lunch Plan.

Karen Bachus, MA

Chairwoman

Warwick School Committee