OGDEN — The Ogden School District is facing a dramatic rise in student lunch debt, reporting a 500% increase in unpaid meal balances over the past year.
At Polk Elementary School, assistant kitchen manager Brynne Wilson says the numbers are staggering.
“It’s insane,” she said.
Districtwide lunch debt has climbed to roughly $16,000, compared to about $3,000 on average in previous years, according to the district.
Despite the growing balance, school nutrition staff say making sure students are fed remains the top priority.
“It’s a lot of money, but we don’t want the kids worrying about that,” Wilson said. “We don’t want them to have to come in to lunch or breakfast and worry.”
Families in Ogden School District pay $1.75 per lunch…