School District Threatens Kids Could End Up In Foster Care Over Unpaid Lunches
A letter sent to parents in Pennsylvania's Wyoming Valley West School District says parents could be taken to court over children's lunch debt.
KINGSTON, Pa. (AP) — A Pennsylvania school district is warning that children could end up in foster care if their parents do not pay overdue school lunch bills.
The letters sent recently to about 1,000 parents in Wyoming Valley West School District have led to complaints from parents and a stern rebuke from Luzerne County child welfare authorities.
The district says that it is trying to collect more than $20,000, and that other methods to get parents to pay have not been successful. Four parents owe at least $450 apiece.
The letter claims the unpaid bills could lead to dependency hearings and removal of their children for not providing them with food.
“You can be sent to dependency court for neglecting your child’s right to food. The result may be your child being taken from your home and placed in foster care,” the letter read.
After complaints, district officials announced they plan to send out a less threatening letter next week.
Luzerne County’s manager and child welfare agency director have written the superintendent, insisting the district stop making what they call false CONTINUE READING: School District Threatens Kids Could End Up In Foster Care Over Unpaid Lunches | HuffPost Life