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Helena Eliminates Option to Send Lunch Debt to Collection

School district received backlash in April after saying it planned to turn over $100,000 in school debts to collection

By Associated Press

HELENA — The Helena School District is changing a policy that allows it to use collection agencies to recover school lunch debt.

The district received backlash in April after saying it planned to turn over $100,000 in school debts to collections.

Superintendent Jack Copps said he had been in the hospital and the announcement went out without his approval. He said such a policy punishes students from low-income families.

The Independent Record reports Copps told the school board Tuesday that the district realized it was inconsistent in notifying parents about lunch debt and better communication would help.

Under the new policy, to be voted on next Tuesday, weekly notifications will be sent home with students who have lunch debt, and principals or other school officials will contact families when the debt reaches $30.