Southern Boone parents with meal debt might not be able to attend child’s graduation

Parents with meal debt at Southern Boone schools won’t be able to attend district functions, including graduation, if they don’t already have a payment plan set up.

This change could happen if the Southern Boone School Board passes the meal policy change Thursday night.The change in policy is due to the recent meal debt issues the district has been facing for years.

Superintendent Chris Felmlee told ABC 17 News the administration felt this was a good start to a dialog with parents that have accumulated meal debt.

“We’ve done every type of communication method we could with parents who have students with meal balances,” Felmlee said. “We’ve sent emails, phone calls, letters every two weeks, had principals calling, but we have gotten no response.”

For the 2016-2017 school year, the district was left with $30,000 in unpaid meal debt involving 87 families. One family in particular had more than $5,000.

According to the policy change letter ABC 17 News was able to get it states:

“Parents of students, who are not in good standing, will not be able to attend annual park day celebrations at the primary and elementary buildings, eight grade advancement at the middle school and graduation at high school. Policy changes are to go into effect with the start of the 2017-2018 school year. Parents and guardians who have students with meal balances in excess of $300 may be taken to collections or small claims court. Parents with approved payment plans are exempted from punitive action.”

ABC 17 News is told the change in policy won’t affect students, but is focused on parents.

When Felmlee was asked if he was prepared to get possible upset parents, he said “I hope it fosters awareness. I look forward to having discussions and working with families,” he said. “I don’t want to put additional stress on a family but I think there are things we can work together on to address the concerns.”

The district is encouraging parents to call the school and set up a payment plan.

If the board approves the change, the district says they will educate all parents about these changes.