SHARPSVILLE, Pa. — This past week marked a sharp financial contrast between two local school districts.
Sharpsville Area School District took seven parents to court over unpaid bills their children rang up at the cafeteria. Delinquent accounts at the cafeteria totaled $9,936 with the seven cases amounting to $4,477, according to the district business office.
Taken before District Judge Dennis M. Songer, Sharon, some parents brought their accounts up to date, and Songer dismissed the misdemeanor charge hanging over their heads.
Other parents agreed to make payments, and their hearings were continued until May to give them time to pay their bills.
This action was taken only after repeated attempts by the district to get parents to cough up the money. Bills, letters and phone calls to the parents proved useless, said Sharpsville Superintendent Dr. Brad Ferko. By state law, a district has only two years to collect overdue cafeteria accounts which left the district with little choice.
Lack of action by these parents to settle their accounts borders on negligence. If they were in true economic hardship they could have qualified for reduced-price lunches or even get them for free. All school districts have this situation and know how to sign these families up for the needed assistance.