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Last updated on Tuesday, June 14, 2016
(BEDFORD) - North Lawrence Community Schools have more than $70,000 in delinquent textbook and food accounts.
Because of the debts, officials struggle to buy new textbooks. So the board is looking into ways to collect what is owed.
Currently if parents and legal guardians owe fees they are presented with the bill for unpaid meals during fall registration each fall. If the bill is not paid, accounts that still owe $50 or more are sent letters in the fall and in February. Then those responsible receive School Reach phone calls starting March 1. At some point in April or May, they receive calls once a week. After that, food service staff members personally call each person who still owes money.
If those accounts haven't been paid off by the last day of the school year, NLCS files small claims cases in court. But that can be difficult if the family moves and school staff can't track locate current addresses and phone numbers.
The Times-Mail reports that Corbin Detrick, Director of Business Services, will present board members Thursday with new policies asking for approval for Attorney Greg Pittman's office to handle the collections and small claims cases. Parents and legal guardians who owe debts will be responsible for paying the court costs and other expenses in collecting the owned debts, so there will be no cost to the school for the law firm collecting the owed fees.
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