Upper Adams School District student lunch debt towered well over $30,000 at the close of 2023, and the number only continues to grow.
During Tuesday’s school board meeting, Treasurer Gerald Walmer drew the board’s attention to the mounting lunch debt. Between Sept. 30 and Dec. 31, 2023, the debt jumped by nearly $6,500, according to Business Administrator Shelley Hobbs’ report.
“It’s just been a growing trend, not only here but also other districts as well,” dating back to the COVID-19 pandemic, Hobbs said.
Students who owe are not denied lunch, but they cannot get additional à la carte items, according to Hobbs. She said the district sends letters to families who owe, which include the application to apply for free and reduced lunches.
Families can apply for free and reduced lunches at www.upperadams.org/departments/food-services/free-reduced-information.
A student’s debt carries over each year, growing from kindergarten through 12th grade, according to Hobbs.
Lunch debt not paid by the end of each fiscal year lands in the school board’s lap. The board then must draw on district funds to pay what is owed to balance the budget, Hobbs said.
The district can send debtors to collections, according to Hobbs, but has not taken that route. Upper Adams occasionally receives donations toward the lunch debt, which Hobbs said are greatly appreciated.
Walmer said his understanding is that most of the families who owe are not those who cannot afford lunches.
“I’ve seen this trend go up and up and up over the last two years,” Walmer said.
Middle and high school student lunch debt accounts for about 76% of the debt at more than $23,400 as of Dec. 31, according to Hobbs’ report. Intermediate school students owed approximately $4,800 and elementary students owed about $2,400 as of Dec. 31.
“It’s just going to keep going up if we don’t do something about it,” board member Tricia Plank said.
The board did not make any decisions Tuesday regarding student lunch debt.
In other business, the board unanimously approved the 2024-2025 Biglerville High School Course Description Guide. Marya Djalal was absent Tuesday.
The approval adds sociology to the social studies offerings and foreign language independent study.
The latter adds another level to the school’s language program, providing an opportunity for students who have completed Advanced Placement Spanish to further their studies.
The newly formed esports team at Biglerville High School won big over the weekend, Principal Beth Graham said. The junior varsity and varsity teams each won state championships in their division.
“We’re super proud of them,” Graham said.
Esports, short for electronic sports, is a competition using video games.
Caleb Trimmer, a second-year student at Cumberland Perry Area Career & Technical Center, spoke to the board about his experience in the criminal justice program.
“I’ve learned so many good skills there about careers,” Trimmer said. “Cumberland Perry is special because it gives students an opportunity to learn about, like, real world skills and shops.”
“Shops” or the various programs at Cumberland Perry, include healthcare, culinary arts, diesel technology, and many others.
Trimmer said students there can earn certificates that will help them obtain employment upon graduation. He aspires to work for the Pennsylvania Game Commission.
Upper Adams is one of 13 districts that sends students to Cumberland Perry, and each district has a certain number of seats available. Graham said Upper Adams currently has 48 students enrolled there.
In other business, kindergarten round-up will be Feb. 6 at 6 p.m. Parents of children who will be eligible for kindergarten in the 2024-2025 school year are invited to visit Biglerville Elementary for this event.
They will have the opportunity to meet the kindergarten teachers, visit classrooms and learn about kindergarten from current kindergarten parents. Children who reside in the Upper Adams School District and will turn 5 years old by Sept. 1, 2024 are welcome to attend.
The school board’s next voting meeting will be Feb. 20. Committee meetings are set for Feb. 1 and 6.
Mary Grace Kauffman, freelance reporter, worked six years as a full-time reporter for newspapers in Pennsylvania and Maryland. She has covered topics including business, crime, education, government and features. Mary Grace has a bachelor's degree in communication/journalism from Shippensburg University. She resides in Adams County.
Jesus said, “Feed the hungry”.
What a mess! These district adults are suppose to be educated and they are in debt? Apparently they aren’t very bright and are letting parents push them to buy their kids lunch. Stop the handouts. Nobody paid for my lunch but my parents and sometimes it was a bologna sandwich. Teachers can’t teach kids how to get by?
State law forbids the school from denying kids lunch. The board is doing what they can to collect money from the parents who refuse to pay/pack their kid’s lunch. This one is on the parents taking advantage of the law.
Maybe the parents are on the boarder for free/reduced lunch and still can’t afford it. Poverty standards are ridiculous