Yough School Board has authorized its food service provider to notify parents of children whose lunch accounts are overdue.
Director Dwayne Koget first made a motion Thursday to authorize the principals to issue delinquent notices to parents, informing them the district would seek payment through a district judge if no action was taken.
High school Principal Earl Thompson said current procedure is to inform students of any debts, such as those incurred at the cafeteria serviced by Nutrition Inc. in West Newton.
"They are encouraged to get them paid," Thompson said. "They typically do. ... I'm sure there are some outstanding cafeteria debts."
"From what I gathered in executive session," Koget said, "we do have some that are running quite high in accounts."
"I think (Nutrition Inc.) needs to police it, I guess," said Director Gregg Nogy, "but we need to set up guidelines," addressing what level of debt would set off notification to a parent or district judge.
The board unanimously agreed to authorize Nutrition Inc. to follow the terms of its contract to send parents delinquent notices for nonpayment of fees.
In addition, the board decided to investigate the cost of replacing carpeting in two rooms at West Newton Elementary School.
The district recently received air-quality reports on all three elementary schools, the board said, and the results were all within normal ranges. But concern about mold will likely lead to replacing the carpeting in two rooms with tile.
"We will have to incur an expense for that," said board President Diane Appolonia.
In addition, the board asked the transportation director to remind bus drivers that cell phones are for emergency use only.
Several board members discussed reports from parents about drivers appeared to use cell phones to excess.
"This is getting old," said director Nancy McClaren. "How many times are we going to talk about this?"
