CLAY COUNTY – Hungry students have a more difficult time learning.

Some buy lunch; others bring it with them. Some students can receive free lunch by virtue of financial need; others get lunch at a reduced rate.

Regardless, as of Feb. 24, Clay County schools currently has a $27,000 debt in unpaid meals.

Until students pay off their balances, many will continue to grow hungry.

When students don’t pay for their lunches, their account goes into arrears. Students can only go $10 in the red, and once the limit is reached, a student may no longer get an entre in the lunch line. They then have the option of either a turkey and cheese or ham and cheese sandwich. Some schools have supplemental accounts that allow a student to get additional lunch funds.

“When parents make a payment, the payment is first applied to the negative balance. The remaining amount is credited to the account. Negative balances not paid are taken as a loss by the Food and Nutrition Services Department. Anyone in the community can donate to our Food and Nutrition Services Department. Individuals interested in donating can contact the school’s cafeteria manager or the Director of Food and Nutrition Services,” said Nicole Young of Clay County District schools.

“We are a federal program, so all of our revenues and expenditures are in a federal food service account,” said Glover. “We don’t use any money from the general fund, so from an overall district standpoint, it really doesn’t adversely impact the district. But I do have a budget I’m responsible for, so I don’t like to see any negatives, but feeding children is important and allowing them to go into the negative is something we’ve allowed for quite some time.

“We have 36,000-37,000 children enrolled in Clay County, so we are going to see students that forget money. If we allow them to go into the negative, then we are going to have to expect to have a negative impact in regards to that negative outstanding balance.”

Glover says that there are donors who help, especially at Christmas time. According to her, some may randomly select 10 children and clear their balances; others may select an entire school and wipe the slate clean.

“Recently, last year, Elevate Life Church gave us a couple of different contributions, so we were able to clear negative balances at several schools, which is obviously very helpful,” Glover said.

Glover doesn’t solicit donors to pay down or pay off lunch debt, but contributions are appreciated. The key, she says, is that parents are aware of this situation and when possible, taking the responsibility for paying down their children’s deficit.