In their final meeting of 2025, school leaders in Manchester discussed a growing financial concern: unpaid school lunch debt.Ward 9 School Committee member Bob Baines described the debt as a “very significant financial issue.” “We need to do a better job,” Baines said.The District’s chief financial officer, Karen DeFrancis, said unpaid school lunch costs are expected to total about $300,000 this year, up from $250,000 last year. The money is written off to the district’s general fund.Several years ago, during the COVID-19 pandemic, unpaid meal costs ranged from $50,000 to $70,000. In the past, students with negative account balances were given an alternative meal, such as a cheese or nut butter sandwich. That policy has since changed.”We try not to identify students that are on, you know, the free or reduced program,” DeFrancis said. “So now the student is entitled to a free meal.” >> Download the free WMUR app to get updates on the go: Apple | Google Play <
In their final meeting of 2025, school leaders in Manchester discussed a growing financial concern: unpaid school lunch debt.
Ward 9 School Committee member Bob Baines described the debt as a “very significant financial issue.”
“We need to do a better job,” Baines said.
The District’s chief financial officer, Karen DeFrancis, said unpaid school lunch costs are expected to total about $300,000 this year, up from $250,000 last year. The money is written off to the district’s general fund.
Several years ago, during the COVID-19 pandemic, unpaid meal costs ranged from $50,000 to $70,000.
In the past, students with negative account balances were given an alternative meal, such as a cheese or nut butter sandwich. That policy has since changed.
“We try not to identify students that are on, you know, the free or reduced program,” DeFrancis said. “So now the student is entitled to a free meal.”
>> Download the free WMUR app to get updates on the go: Apple | Google Play <<
The district has sent reminders to families about unpaid school lunch balances, and several board members encouraged eligible families to apply for the free and reduced lunch program.
“Lunches should be free for every child in New Hampshire,” said Ward 5 School Committee member Jason Bonilla.
School Committee Vice Chair Jim O’Connell said that in 43 states, families receiving Medicaid are automatically enrolled in the free and reduced lunch program, but New Hampshire is not one of those states.
“We know about a thousand children in the city of Manchester qualify for free and reduced lunch who do not get it,” O’Connell said. “And shame on us that we haven’t been able to solve that.”
No solutions were proposed during the meeting, but several members said their top priority is ensuring students do not go hungry.
Officials are expected to continue the discussion in the new year.
Families looking for more information about the free and reduced lunch program can visit the district’s website.