Jamestown, Valley City, Carrington school districts work with families to pay student meal debt
Lillian Becker has been a health reporter for over six years and graduated from the University of Minnesota with a degree in Public Health. She has worked for various local publications and has contributed to health segments for Prairie Public Radio.
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JAMESTOWN — Officials with Jamestown, Valley City and Carrington public school districts say they work with families to help pay unpaid balances for student meals. Jamestown Public Schools reported having more than $30,600 in student meal debt owed by families as of Monday, Oct. 26. Superintendent Adam Gehlhar said that the total has accumulated over the past three years. Valley City Public Schools currently has $26,000 in student meal debt, according to Joleen Hagen, nutrition services director. Carrington Public School has a very minimal amount of student meal debt, Superintendent Janelle Helm said. Voters will decide on Measure 2, which would guarantee free breakfast and lunch to every North Dakota student under the state constitution if approved. The estimated fiscal impact of Measure 2, if approved, is a $124.3 million to $134.3 million every two years, beginning in the 2027-29 biennium, according to the ballot language. Gehlhar said there are good point