Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
Make a sustaining gift today to support local journalism!

Claremont Considers Hiring Collection Agency to Recoup Student Lunch Debt

Britta Greene
/
New Hampshire Public Radio

An online fundraiser to pay off student lunch debt in the Claremont schools has raised over $2,000 in just a handful of days.

Still, it’s not enough to cover the $32,000 bill, and the district’s Director of Business and Finance Mike O’Neill says one-time donations are not the answer.

“I think it's a temporary solution to a permanent problem," he said.

School officials say it’s likely many families in town that would qualify for the free or reduced-price lunch program are not applying. In some cases, O’Neill said, that’s due to a perceived stigma around the program.

"I get that some people don't want to ask for help,” he said, “but at the same time I can't have the district eating - no pun intended - eating $32,000 worth of food every year."

The school board will consider whether to hire a collection agency at its meeting this weekend

Related Content

You make NHPR possible.

NHPR is nonprofit and independent. We rely on readers like you to support the local, national, and international coverage on this website. Your support makes this news available to everyone.

Give today. A monthly donation of $5 makes a real difference.