School Committee Adopts New Lunch Policy

The School Committee adopted a Thursday, which would punish students with long-standing delinquent lunch accounts.

Under the new policy, students with delinquent accounts are subject to penalties such as delay in report card issuance, prohibition from fee-based activities including athletics and other sanctions.

Also under the new plan, students would rarely if ever not be served a lunch. Instead, students with a zero or negative balance will be offered an “alternative” lunch at a reduced price.

The School Committee’s statement on the new policy:

"The School Committee, Administration and Staff of the Wellesley Public Schools recognize that a healthy, nutritious meal plays an important role in the readiness and ability of students to learn. For this reason the School Committee has established a policy to provide for a clear and consistent approach to meal account procedures while treating all students with dignity in the serving line. The District believes that it is the adult parent or guardian’s responsibility for the payment of meal charges and it is our desire to engage in positive interactions with both the parent and the student when a meal account is not current."

What do you think about the new policy? Too harsh? Too lenient? Just right? Tell us in the comments.