Outstanding school meal balances, as well as the number of students qualifying for free and reduced meals, were a topic of discussion at last week’s Carrollton R-VII School District board of education meeting.

Supt. Dr Tinna Croy said the district is once again witnessing a significant number of students collecting meal debts, even as the number of students qualifying for free and reduced meals is at 42 percent.

Croy says the number of Carrollton students qualifying for free and reduced meals has increased in the past year. She reminds parents that a board policy is in place to address outstanding balances.

Croy notes that funds allocated to the district, including those for the Career Center and special education programs, are adjusted based upon the percentage of students who qualify for free and reduced meals.