These fees, if left unpaid, will continue to accumulate each year until students reach graduation, at which point the students may be prevented from participating in the ceremony.
Although many students’ families who have accrued debt may have put off or forgotten to pay their dues and will likely cover it themselves, Tafelski estimated around 75% of Talawanda students with debt are in need of assistance with their lunch dues, and the most need is present at Talawanda High School. Overall, she said a high amount of debt is “normal” for the district.
Tafelski said, in the past, groups like the Oxford Community Foundation, Rotary Club and the Women’s Giving Circle donated funds to assist with the debt, although those donations had…