What happens now or what is the next step when schools have citizens who owe money for school lunches, for school books, for school fees, and these citizens do not pay these bills? What does a school do or what does the school board do?
For example...parents have not paid for school fees, school lunches, etc., for several years and the bill amounts to a couple or three thousand dollars. What does the school do next?
When several families do not pay these bills, then the school districts are really hurting.
Does the school board take the parents or individuals, (as the case may be), to small claims court? Does the school maybe try to garnish the wages of these parents in order to collect what is owed? Or does the school just shove it all under the rug and cut their losses?
Do we taxpayers now have to pay higher taxes because the school can't get these folks to pay up? (I'm not talking about a few hundred dollars, I am talking $3,000 owed by one family).
What happens now? Does anyone want to venture a guess on this one?
Searching through Kansas statutes right now but doing a quick search online gave me Indiana's law, which I'm sure will be similar to Kansas' as it is pretty simple. Basically, the school cannot deny anything to the child however the school can take any action by law to collect the unpaid fees from the parent(s), if they are ineligible for assistance, including reasonable attorney's fees, court costs, and the judgement award.
I knew that much. Children should never be denied anything from a school just because thier parents don't pay their bills. I am just wondering what a school will do to get their money collected from the parents. Apparently there are several thousands of dollars owed by parents who have sent their kids to Elk Valley schools, so I was just curious what people thought the school might do to collect this money.
Now, just so everyone won't jump down my throat about me stating this about the Elk Valley schools, I have not been told about West Elk, but as soon as I can find out if the same is true at West Elk, I will ask the same questions.
Doesn't the School Board have an attorney retained for just these issues?
That way the child gets the education, the parents have to be accountable in court.
Unfortunetely the child is then labled!
ready to smack down a few parents
I'm actually having a heck of a time finding a Kansas law that covers that area. Waaaayyyyy too many statutes covering school stuff. :laugh:
@ ready, I think all school boards have attorneys that they can turn to, but will they in an attempt to collect what is owed to them?
The child will get the education whether the parents pay or not. It's just amazing to know (as I have learned) who owes money to the Elk Valley School District. However; I don't know if that info is public, so until I find out, the names will remain in my head.
Quotebut will they in an attempt to collect what is owed to them?
The attorney has the obligation by law to at least try to obtain that money at the nod of the County.
Depends on wether they do is up to the Attorney, or the one pulling their stings.
Just talking from experience. Unfortunately the kid that is getting the education will be ridiculed for a free ride, not by the other kids, yet from other parents to parents.
ready
And as a side note, it would cost the taxpayers money to pay the attorney to go after the parents in a suit that got their own money back.
Can anyone spell irony?
I was told by a parent of a child that they all got letters a couple weeks ago saying if your child is behind on lunch money they will not be served the hot meal the other kids get but will "be served an alternative lunch and a carton of milk".
Janet, it's surprising that you would know the names of the people that are behind on the lunches. Being nosey I asked who owed the 3 grand and was told it was talked about in executive session so therefore could not be repeated. Maybe a board member or their spouse has loose lips ? ;)
an executive session is just that: a talk in a closed door setting without outsiders, nor minutes with the parties involved.
Awe, well, can't reveal my sources, now can I!
Now, the part about serving those children an alternative lunch, that's not right. I do not agree with that at all. Sometimes that hot meal at school is the only hot meal that child gets.
Of course, Jarhead, now that you have told me about this being said in executive session, it makes me wonder if the school district would even go after the parents in court. Because then it would be public knowledge and would not protect the child's privacy. I do care about the children. However; I don't get a damn about parents who won't pay their bills.
Thanks for telling me about the executive session, but, I couldn't say whether or not how I learned about the names came out of the executive session or not. Just saying.
on that or not note. I am going into executive session of my own sleep, with or without you being tolld!
8)
ready ...and out
It doesn't take a rocket scientist to see the "hidden agenda" of a couple of these threads. Two old sayings come to mind---"those who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones" and the other "if you have shit on your shoes you shouldn't walk on a white carpet" ;)
Quote from: Janet Harrington on August 24, 2011, 07:48:20 PM
Thanks for telling me about the executive session, but, I couldn't say whether or not how I learned about the names came out of the executive session or not. Just saying.
Of course, if a school employee (or board member) were releasing names and such out of school, so to speak, maybe the board should prepared to defend a privacy invasion suit. Might be worth considering. Loose lips can sink ships.
Do you really think that in a town as small as Longton that something like this wouldn't be generally known? If even one employee outside of the executive meeting knows about it, others will, too.
Quote from: Wilma on August 24, 2011, 09:31:03 PM
Do you really think that in a town as small as Longton that something like this wouldn't be generally known? If even one employee outside of the executive meeting knows about it, others will, too.
And this makes the lack of integrity ok? I think not. Fire the offender post haste and enforce good standards in public empoyment.
I just wondered what happened to the School Marm? The days when things were placed on teaching the children and as a community they were raised right! Fed and Educated! I guess I am living in a fantasy land!
But first, you have to find the offender. How do you pick out one among a dozen whose knowledge comes from being inside the school system. Where is this secret stopped? With the person who keeps the books? Can't stop there as his boss has to be informed. Does it stop with the boss? Probably not as he has to inform the board. Even the cooks have knowledge of who is paid up or not paid up. Try working inside the school house and you will find that there is very little that the cooks and the janitor don't know about what is going on.
What happened to the school marm? Many, many years ago I was taught by a school marm. I was fed from the lunch that I carried from home and I transported myself by my own two feet to the schoolhouse, it being only two miles from home and no school bus available. Would that work today? I think not.
Is there a sidewalk or walking path from Howard to the West Elk school?
Just the road, redcliffsw, just the road.
Just pay what you owe people, just pay what you owe.
I don't care how they are found out. That kind of anonimity is why our politicians get away with the same.
Quote from: jarhead on August 24, 2011, 08:13:54 PM
It doesn't take a rocket scientist to see the "hidden agenda" of a couple of these threads. Two old sayings come to mind---"those who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones" and the other "if you have shit on your shoes you shouldn't walk on a white carpet" ;)
There is no "hidden agenda" here, jarhead. This is something that was discussed with me and I just threw it out there. As for your two old sayings, if you are directing that at me, I don't live in a glass house and I wouldn't throw stones. I have other things to use. And as for shit on my shoes, nope, not there either. I have had a pretty calm uneventful life where I pay my bills and my taxes and I have never taken out bankruptcy. So I don't know why you would even say that.
I was contacted via e-mail by a very knowledgeable person that the school would probably go through the Kansas Set-Off program to collect this money. I thanked that person for that information. I had forgotten such a program existed, but when I was EMS director, we used that program to collect unpaid ambulance bills. I remember now that this program will get the money from any state income taxes that might be due a person in order to pay this bill.
If what I was told is true, (which I'm sure it is), I find it amazing that a school district would let anyone get that far in debt without coming to some kind of solution with these parents. So, maybe, it is not the fault of the parents, but the fault of the school for not staying on top of this issue.
Quote from Janet:
I pay my bills and my taxes and I have never taken out bankruptcy. So I don't know why you would even say that.
Not sure why the 'bankruptcy" was thrown in the mix but if this was directed at me, the last I knew my bills are paid---taxes are paid and I have never filed for bankruptcy !!
Quoteremember now that this program will get the money from any state income taxes that might be due a person in order to pay this bill.
Like a garnishment of refund taxes, Janet?
That would work if indeed the papers were filled out properly by the person who owed.
Tax evasers (sp) thrive to stall the system in paperwork until 4 years out, then they are hit with a warrant, then they move out of state.
What goes around, comes around...however it does sometimes take years, and the school does need that money this year to operate.
ready
QuoteSo, maybe, it is not the fault of the parents, but the fault of the school for not staying on top of this issue.
then you are back to the original question of how did it get to this point? The money or the child's education?
Are these parents able to pay? If they are, then it is the school's fault for letting it go so long. If they are not able to pay, aren't there programs that would take care of it? I seem to remember hearing talk of such programs when I worked at the school. There is no reason for a person to not take advantage of it. I am sure that the family has paid in taxes the same as the rest of us. This might be one of the better things that our tax money does. Why not take advantage of it?
From what I hear Wilma, it is way more than one family behind on the lunch payments
If I understand this correctly, Elk Valley raised the mill levy in the past month. I can understand that it takes a lot of money to run a school to educate our children but then they have the hypocrisy to have a lunch Monday, at the local café for all teachers and staff, on the tax payer's dime. Then yesterday, they all met at the school for a steak dinner. The school had purchased, as I understand it, 55 ribeye steaks to feed the teachers and staff, again at the expense of the tax payers. But this poses a few questions. Does Elk Valley have 55 employees? If not, where did the extra ribeye steaks go? Did the school board authorize the buying of the steaks and the meal at the café? If not, who did? Is it also true that the school fixed breakfast for the same people, on the above mentioned days and it was also provided free of charge? Is this why our taxes were raised? Is it possible to get answers to the question as to why Elk Valley spends $12,000 per year for a cell phone plan? And why do people that have no affiliation with the school (except to have relatives working for the district) have these phones also? Who has the contract with the phone company and appears to make more money the more phones they lease out? As tax payers we have the right to know the answer's to these questions.
Quote from: jarhead on August 25, 2011, 05:25:31 PM
Quote from Janet:
I pay my bills and my taxes and I have never taken out bankruptcy. So I don't know why you would even say that.
Not sure why the 'bankruptcy" was thrown in the mix but if this was directed at me, the last I knew my bills are paid---taxes are paid and I have never filed for bankruptcy !!
No, jarhead, the "bankruptcy" word was not directed at you. I know you pay your bills. I have never seen your name in the delinquent taxes nor seen it on any sheriff's sales. You and your wife have always been good citizens to the best of my knowledge.
Quote from: jarhead on August 25, 2011, 08:30:28 PM
From what I hear Wilma, it is way more than one family behind on the lunch payments
You are correct, jarhead. It is more than one family and several thousands of dollars are owed to the school.
Quote from: george on August 25, 2011, 08:57:57 PM
If I understand this correctly, Elk Valley raised the mill levy in the past month. I can understand that it takes a lot of money to run a school to educate our children but then they have the hypocrisy to have a lunch Monday, at the local café for all teachers and staff, on the tax payer's dime. Then yesterday, they all met at the school for a steak dinner. The school had purchased, as I understand it, 55 ribeye steaks to feed the teachers and staff, again at the expense of the tax payers. But this poses a few questions. Does Elk Valley have 55 employees? If not, where did the extra ribeye steaks go? Did the school board authorize the buying of the steaks and the meal at the café? If not, who did? Is it also true that the school fixed breakfast for the same people, on the above mentioned days and it was also provided free of charge? Is this why our taxes were raised? Is it possible to get answers to the question as to why Elk Valley spends $12,000 per year for a cell phone plan? And why do people that have no affiliation with the school (except to have relatives working for the district) have these phones also? Who has the contract with the phone company and appears to make more money the more phones they lease out? As tax payers we have the right to know the answer's to these questions.
George, I don't know where you are from, but the way to find out how many teachers and support staff work at Elk Valley would be to call the school district office and ask. As for eating steaks, go to the school board meeting and ask about that. The same thing in regard to the cell phone plan. Go to the school board meeting and ask. Unless someone on this forum has that knowledge, that is the only way you are going to get your answers.
Quote from: Janet Harrington on August 25, 2011, 09:20:34 PM
...Go to the school board meeting and ask. Unless someone on this forum has that knowledge, that is the only way you are going to get your answers.
Or at least a free dog n pony tap dance show.
I know in a lot of schools if money is owed for lunchs or overdue books, or whatever they hold the students transcripts and records til they are paid up.
Understand me on this..........I will quietly only once............say what I am going to say..
We all live in a very small tiny speck of the map called Elk County. We're not much of anything to anybody in the world.. but we are a community where just about everyone knows everyone.
We all, at one time or another in the course of our lives .. see, speak and interact with the same people week after week within the walls of our small town world. That in itself is sometimes a challenge. Because of that..there's always going to be town gossips and those who are caught up in talking about....." do you know what I heard?" conversations... and breaches in private information that should never have left an "executive session".
Let me be very very clear on this!~~~~~~~
If at any time.. there are names posted on this forum ..inferring to someone's personal financial business...
I will delete the whole thread .. and put the ones who did the posting on indefinite probation so fast it will make their heads spin.
It is not anyone's business of how much money someone makes or how they make it.. or what hardships they are facing to make that amount of money work for them.
In this time of financial and political upheaval in our world.. we're going to be dealing with a lot of friends and family and people we know who are going to be having some hard times.. and be put into hurtful and embarrassing situations where maybe some of their bills will not be paid on time or at all. None of us knows for sure if next week..next month or next year.. we might be in that same situation.
To even begin to insinuate that names will be posted on this forum.. is an area of invasion of privacy on individuals that I absolutely WILL NOT tolerate. >:(
I don't care who you are... its not gonna happen on THIS forum.
I hope I have made myself clear on this.
WOW!!! Perfectly clear and I didn't even have to use my hearing aid.
Perfectly right, too.
I talked with knowledgeable people at West Elk in regards to what West Elk does when money is owed the school for lunches, etc. I was informed that the secretarys at West Elk stay on top of seeing that these bills are paid. The people were not really sure what the policy was about feeding kids whose parents were behind on lunches. They knew that the grade school kids got fed, no matter what. The thought was that maybe the junior high and high school kids got an alternate lunch, but they also agreed with me that this wasn't a good policy. Again, I think some kids only get hot meals at school.
Anyway, at West Elk, the school secretarys stay on top of fees, lunches, etc., and keep working with parents to keep the bills paid.
Now, Teresa, if I gave the impression that I would actually put names on here about who the people were who owed, I didn't mean it that way. This was just a conversation that I had with a person and it got me to wondering what schools did in that matter. How the person that I talked with got that info, I have no idea. I apologize if I indicated that I would disclose all.
Thank you Teresa, because how do we know it is not just gossip. So many lie's can be told on the forum. :)
True Jane....however this is a small town, and Teresa is privvy to information on this website as well as talking with people.
Some people just want to stir up stuff in the name of the truth, and the names of the delinquent partents should never be published here...
Thank you Teresa.
Perhaps the school board should shift the teacher's steaks budgets to the whatever is in need budget, and all the teachers bring raw hambuger for a bbq...That would save about $1000.
It is an appreciation, and yet an ackowledgemnt of a thank you, on a squeezed budget.
ready
QuoteIf I understand this correctly, Elk Valley raised the mill levy in the past month.
That may be true for the school distrist of Elk Valley.
However, the comissiioners reserve the right to deny that mil levy until they set it in October.
That was a partial truth to set people off, George.
ready
Ready, I aint George, but do you really think it will be denied ?
could be. They have to consider all asked of them within the constraints of the monies that will come in, which are a fluctuating number at best that I can describe.
That would mean that we pay a tax to perhaps something we don't belong to...
however, that is not our decision.
As to your question, if it will be denied. I can't answer that. And yet, it could be if they don't want to up the mil levy anymore than already is....when is the election year up? That sometimes plays a part as well as if the taxpayers are heated...they sometimes lower to pacify.
All depends on your commissioners and their situation.
Sorry if I didn't answer to your satisfaction....Too many variables.
ready
hate to spoil the lunch program party, but I just ate dinner and now am ready
to retire for the night.
Just remember, nothing is cut an dry with the Mil levy. You have taxpayers bitching if you raise to pay the bill, and you have everyone happy if it stays the same, and then you can't pay the bill.
I would really question what bills are being presented!
It almost takes a CPA to budget the county, and when one department goes overboard...it's rob Peter to pay Paul...and Paul is broke.
Go figure on what the bills are.
ready and out....sorry guys, no more energy.
Quote from: Jane on August 26, 2011, 06:47:34 PM
Thank you Teresa, because how do we know it is not just gossip. So many lie's can be told on the forum. :)
Jane, I can tell you that what I have posted is not gossip.
Not saying it was Janet, just making a statement that people can put anything they want to on the forum and unless you or anyone else was there then it becomes gossip. ;)
Quote from readyaimduck:
That may be true for the school distrist of Elk Valley.
However, the comissiioners reserve the right to deny that mil levy until they set it in October.
That was a partial truth to set people off, George.
Ready, I'm sure you and George are a hell of a lot smarter on these matters than I am but I thought a school district, just like a city council, are both taxing authorities that can raise their own mil levies without the consent of the county commissioners
A school district can raise the mil levy with just the school board approving it I believe.
Quote from: Jane on August 27, 2011, 10:31:44 AM
A school district can raise the mil levy with just the school board approving it I believe.
As can other state chartered government authorities like towns and cities. Lest we forget, there are reasons we call them 'government schools.'
I do stand corrected in that the School can raise their own levy with their own vote.
Thank you for pointing out my error, and not jumping down my throat.
When it comes to taxes, I don't know how much more we can take, Captn. (<<<< in best Star Trek voice)
Perhaps, doing away with unessary frivolities (I am not familiar with what is in the budget, so I have no right to point). I am sure something can be cut without losing the educational value for the kids. I have to do it at home, to pay bills....why can't they?
I just hope the parents that don't pay the luch monies can be put on a payment plan, so at least some of the money gets replaced.
ready
Quote from: readyaimduck on August 27, 2011, 11:03:11 AM
Perhaps, doing away with unessary frivolities (I am not familiar with what is in the budget, so I have no right to point). I am sure something can be cut without losing the educational value for the kids.
Yes.. everything except teacher wages, textbooks, necessary classroom supplies and utility bills.
Start with administrative salaries/benefits, extra-curricular activity funding and 'nice to have' goodies... Oh, and rib-eye steaks, staff cell phones and leather chairs.
How about we try something novel...First and foremost, pay for readin, ritin and rithmatic.
Quoteadministrative salaries/benefits, extra-curricular activity funding and 'nice to have' goodies... Oh, and rib-eye steaks, staff cell phones and leather chairs.
That would be an excellent start. Now how to convice those that have it, that they don't need it!
read
Quote from: readyaimduck on August 27, 2011, 11:28:46 AM
That would be an excellent start. Now how to convice those that have it, that they don't need it!
read
Convince? As in convince the whining brat at the grocery store that it can't have the damned chocolate bar because mommy and daddy need to pay the rent and electric and are short on funds? Convince? How about trying to convince the taxpayers that they need to do without so the brats can have their chocolate bar. No, somebody needs to apply some tough love and just say no to some of the goodies. Before the taxpayers start saying no for them.
To rescind the leather chairs, after they have been delivered? Take away the chocloate bar, after you pay for it?
Where is the credibility. This is happening in my county as we speak.
Unfortunetly the horse is before the cart now.
I agree about tough love!
(But don't say, "ok"....then take it away or give it to someone else!)
I am not so sure the focus of money well spent is not in the best interest of the kids/teachers.!
ready
I'm not picking, but what goodies would that be? If the chairs weren't donated, the leather (real leather?) chairs are just a one time purchase, but very poorly timed.
The steak dinners I don't understand. Sponsors? Fund raisers? Donations? PTA? Shouldn't be tax money, but still just a one time deal.
What else? Cut hot lunch to twice a week? No school trips? Do they bid out paper and classroom supplies? A state bid? Shorter school week with slightly longer days? Saves a lot on transportation costs. Bid out the bus service? Fire the custodians and have the kids do the cleaning, especially in high school. Need repairs? Have the shop kids do them.
Quote from: readyaimduck on August 27, 2011, 12:14:48 PM
To rescind the leather chairs, after they have been delivered? Take away the chocloate bar, after you pay for it?
Where is the credibility. This is happening in my county as we speak.
I didn't say take it back. I suggested saying no to future folly. Of course, they could sell the chairs, buy some lab gear, and let the board set their asses on lawn chairs that they bring from home..
Quote from: readyaimduck on August 27, 2011, 12:14:48 PM
I agree about tough love!
I am not so sure the focus of money well spent is not in the best interest of the kids/teachers.!
Well spent money
must be in the best interests of the kids, for sure. All such money should be 'well spent.'
Quote from: Teresa on August 25, 2011, 10:55:02 PM
In this time of financial and political upheaval in our world.. we're going to be dealing with a lot of friends and family and people we know who are going to be having some hard times.. and be put into hurtful and embarrassing situations where maybe some of their bills will not be paid on time or at all. None of us knows for sure if next week..next month or next year.. we might be in that same situation.
To even begin to insinuate that names will be posted on this forum.. is an area of invasion of privacy on individuals that I absolutely WILL NOT tolerate. >:(
I don't care who you are... its not gonna happen on THIS forum.
I hope I have made myself clear on this.
Thank you! :) A saying that fits perfectly that folks should MEMORIZE ....There but for the Grace of God go i. John Bradford (circa 1510–1555)
Quote from: readyaimduck on August 26, 2011, 07:02:21 PM
Perhaps the school board should shift the teacher's steaks budgets to the whatever is in need budget, and all the teachers bring raw hambuger for a bbq...That would save about $1000.
It is an appreciation, and yet an ackowledgemnt of a thank you, on a squeezed budget.
ready
Oh Wow a hamburger sounds good to me. Better than a steak! Haven't had one in couple months now.
Quote from: readyaimduck on August 27, 2011, 11:03:11 AM
I do stand corrected in that the School can raise their own levy with their own vote.
Perhaps, doing away with unessary frivolities (I am not familiar with what is in the budget, so I have no right to point). I am sure something can be cut without losing the educational value for the kids. I have to do it at home, to pay bills....why can't they?
Lets seee, you got football, baseball, soccer, ect.... Band, extracurricular activities could be paid for by the parents instead of the taxpayer. THen lets go with 4 day school week and you cut out 1 day of fuel and pay for bus's, could even cut back on pay for admin and staff for that day, the electric bill would save a nice bundle eliminating 1 day. ect ect ect... Lots of things to cut!
Quote from: readyaimduck on August 27, 2011, 11:28:46 AM
That would be an excellent start. Now how to convice those that have it, that they don't need it!
read
DEFUND it
Quote from: readyaimduck on August 27, 2011, 12:14:48 PM
Unfortunetly the horse is before the cart now.
Uhmm thats where the horse belongs
Quote from: Diane Amberg on August 27, 2011, 12:28:43 PM
What else? Cut hot lunch to twice a week?
Explain to me why a kid must have a hot lunch! I grew up on sammichs for lunch (Thats my word and its spelled right), and i didn't need any hot lunch. Whats the big deal about it! Send the rugrats to school with a sack lunch. Hell i was making sack lunches when i was 5 years old going to kindygarten.
QuoteNo school trips?
IS THAT A NEED? Hell i don't make frivolous trips. The only time i leave the house is to go to a doctor or to the grocery store.
QuoteFire the custodians and have the kids do the cleaning, especially in high school. Need repairs? Have the shop kids do them.
Now thats just plain ole common sense! call it home ec for the cleaning and shop for the repairs. That really makes too much sense diane!
Steve, I was serious with those suggestions. Newark Charter, a top school, has no cafeteria. I wasn't arguing with you. If you don't have enough money you learn what's essential and what isn't.
Quote from: Diane Amberg on August 27, 2011, 03:41:29 PM
Steve, I was serious with those suggestions. Newark Charter, a top school, has no cafeteria. I wasn't arguing with you. If you don't have enough money you learn what's essential and what isn't.
I was serious too those are excellent ideas!