Brunswick Co. Schools change lunch meal charge policy

BRUNSWICK COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — Brunswick County School students will see some changes to how they can charge their lunch meals for this upcoming year.

School officials have decided not to allow high school students to put their school lunches on credit. And middle and elementary schools students will have a limit of $15.

Jessica Swencki, school spokeswoman, said at the end of this school year the school system was left holding a $100,000 tab for unpaid meals. She said the school system’s unpaid meal debts had continuously risen over the past few years. In the 2014-2015 school year the debt was at $69,000, the year before it was close to $50,000.

She said the school system’s efforts to collect unpaid balances have unsuccessful.

“This policy is not about denying children access to food; it’s about creating systems of accountability for parents,” said Swencki. “We do not feel like this is a child issue. This is an adult issue.”

She said the options other than to charge meals are pre-pay for meals, apply for free or reduced lunch or bring food from home.

Swencki adds every school provides free breakfast.