CPS to use debt collector to recover lunch money, other delinquent payments
Erika McGuire
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
Columbia Public Schools and a Pennsylvania-based debt collection agency have agreed to go after unpaid student lunch balances and other delinquent payments beginning July 1.
The Columbia Board of Education approved the agreement with Ability Recovery Services LLC at its June 9 meeting with a 6-1 vote. Board President John Lyman was the only vote against the measure.
He said he voted “no” because he has reservations about collection agencies, he but supports the board’s decision. Lyman said other delinquent payments are for items including lost books, property damage and damaged iPads.
CPS spokesperson Michelle Baumstark said the debt is $92,403.72.
Board members said the move is aimed at shrinking meal debt while ensuring no student is denied a meal, regardless of their account status. Board member April Ferrao said in the meeting that 95-97% of outstanding debt is from families who do not qualify or have not applied for the Lunch for Learners program.
Baumstark said in an email Friday morning that the district makes extensive efforts to reach families before turning to collections. She said the district holds individual conversations and offers resources and support, emphasizing that collections are only used as a last resort.
“The district does not send families who need financial assistance or are facing temporary, unforeseen circumstances to collections,” Baumstark said, adding that CPS has used debt collection services for years to recover unpaid balances.
“Text messages are sent, emails are sent, phone calls are made, hard copy letters are sent to let families know hey this is the balance,” Lyman said.
Free or reduced-price lunch is a federal program for families with limited income to get free or low-cost meals. Families must apply every year and meet income guidelines to qualify.
Lunch for Learners is a program that assists families experiencing short-term or transitional circumstances that have altered their ability to cover meal costs. It is not meant to replace long-term assistance but offers temporary relief.
Baumstark said example of such circumstances may include:
A recent job loss or reduced hours;
Temporary illness or hospitalization of a parent or guardian;
Sudden family emergency (e.g., fire, displacement);
Gaps in processing free/reduced-price meal applications;
Newly enrolled families with immediate financial concerns.
“If you’re $200 behind because some stuff happened at the end of the school year the fist thing they are going to do is try to get you free or reduced lunch for the next school then they are going to talk about lunch for learners and its gunna come in and help that debt out,” Lyman added.
The district went the debt collector route, Lyman says so its nutrition services can focus on other areas.
“They’re budget is square up, making sure they’re getting those nutritious things into our building making sure we have the staffing to run or cafeterias,” he said.
Recently, the Columbia Public Schools foundation donated $50,000 to help pay down the Lunch for Learners balance.
The district will pay the debt collector a 21.5% contingency fee for each successful collection, which means nearly a quarter of recovered funds will go to the agency rather than directly back to CPS.
According to the district’s websit,e the following schools provide free breakfast for all enrolled students:
Blue Ridge Elementary
Lange Middle School
Oakland Middle School
Battle High School
The following schools provide free breakfast and lunch for all enrolled students:
Alpha Hart Lewis Elementary
Elliot Battle Elementary
Benton Elementary
CORE/Quest
Derby Ridge Elementary
Douglass High School
Shepard Elementary
West Boulevard Elementary
Overall, Lyman says CPS wants to take care of students first and families should never be afraid to ask for help.
” We want you to fed while you’re there but families there is no stigma with this we are here to help, we want to help just make the call we are here,” Lyman said.
For additional help families can take advantage of the summer lunch program that runs from June 2-Aug. 7 any anyone under 18 to pick up lunch through the summer.
The program will not run on June 19 and July 4 due to federal holidays.
Locations for the program include:
Columbia Housing Authority (CHA) Stewart-Parker: Lunch from noon-12:30 p.m.; snack from 1:30-1:45 p.m.
CHA Bear Creek, 1109 Elleta Blvd.: Lunch from noon-12:30 p.m.; snack from 1:30-1:45 p.m.
Columbia Square, 1715 W. Worley St.: Lunch from 11-11:30 a.m.; snack from 12:30-12:45 p.m.
Indian Hills Park, 5009 Aztec Blvd.: Lunch from 11-11:30 a.m.; snack from 1-1:15 p.m.
Progressive Missionary Baptist Church, 702 Banks Ave.: Lunch from 11-11:30 a.m.; snack from 1:30-1:45 p.m.