The Cherry Hill School District in New Jersey “has a budget of $216 million and ranks as one of the wealthiest districts in the state.” As of 2017, 343 students owed the District $10 or more for food they had eaten. The total meal debt was $14,343. Officials decided the best way to pressure the parents of these hungry students was to punish the students themselves.

Initially, the district implemented a policy under which students who owed over $10 would be refused a hot lunch and served a tuna sandwich instead; students who owed over $20 would be refused lunch altogether. The policy, though legal under New Jersey law, was widely criticized. Even the Mayor of Cherry Hill publicly opposed it:

“A policy that restricts or limits a child’s access to food is not right — and is simply unacceptable.”

Faced with such universal condemnation, the district adopted a different approach, allowing students to receive food regardless of how much their parents owed. Parents owing over $10 will be sent a written notice giving them ten days to pay. Parents owing over $25 will be contacted in writing and by telephone every ten days “to discuss the amount of the outstanding balance and any current familial needs.” Parents owing over $75 will be required to meet with school officials in person. Oh, and their children will also be prohibited from participating in extracurricular activities. No field trips, dances, or proms until the bill is paid in full.

Former Cherry Hill resident Steve Ravitz offered to pay the entire $14,343 debt. The school district rejected his offer and refused his money, deeming it more important to punish schoolchildren.

“Simply erasing the debt does not address the many families with financial means who have just chosen not to pay what is owed.”