He got free lunch. Todd Carmichael grew up poor. His family relied on food stamps, and he qualified for free school lunches, something that made him feel ashamed.
But school board president Joseph Mazur said no to Carmichael, whose progressive politics have become increasingly high-profile. Carmichael, a self-described activist against the policies of President Donald Trump and his administration, has been jailed in the past for causes he cares about.
But the Wyoming Valley West situation really touched a nerve, he said Tuesday. Next, efforts were made to reach the superintendent. Finally, Platt found a home phone number for Mazur and called him on Monday. Mazur told Platt that he would not accept the offer, Platt said.
Mazur said that he believed most of the families that owed money could afford the debt, and that it was their responsibility to pay. It was about shaming people. Messages left for Mazur and other school officials were not returned. The controversy began when the West Wyoming Valley school system sent hundreds of letters to families whose children owed money for school lunches. Federal law mandates that school districts offer children food even when they have unpaid bills for school lunches, but district officials took issue with the regulation.
This nanny-state mentality is troubling to me. In some districts, including Philadelphia, the concentration of poverty is so great that all students receive free breakfast and lunch. Luzerne County Manager David Pedri told CNN that the county would never take children away from their parents over unpaid school debts. Bob Casey D. Skip to content. Gift this article! Link Icon. Facebook Logo. Link copied to clipboard. Share Icon. Graham Published July 23, , p.
