Social media post sparks controversy in Henry County over school lunches

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- A Henry County High School student took to social media this week to express her outrage after witnessing her peers denied lunch at school due to their finances.

Alex Melton, a 16-year-old junior at Henry County High School, wrote the post that reads in part: “If I see Henry County High School take ONE more kid’s food from them because ‘they don’t have enough money’, I’m going to flip!”

That post has been shared more than 350 times.

“[The cafeteria worker] told the students that if they didn’t have enough money to cover their fines, then they didn’t need to be in the line,” Melton said. “She told them that they couldn’t eat, and that they needed to put their food down. [A student] was really upset about it, and she sat her food down and she walked away, embarrassed.”

Melton’s Facebook post led Henry County Schools Superintendent Tim Abrams to look into the issue. Abrams said that it’s unclear if any students were actually denied food, but he said the situation was addressed, and it will not happen again.

“In this case, I think we had an employee make a very poor decision and make a kid feel uncomfortable when they were going through the line," Abrams said. "And that’s unacceptable."

Abrams said there is an issue with unpaid student lunches, which add up to about $6,200 for the district. That’s despite repeated attempts to collect, including sending emails and letters, as well as calling parents.

About half of the students in the district receive free or reduced lunch, but Abrams said “pride” might prevent more parents from applying.

As for the possibility of an “alternative” lunch for students with an unpaid balance, Abrams said he does not consider that an option.

“Some school districts have implemented alternative meals for students. I never want a student to feel that they're receiving a lesser lunch because of their financial situation,” Abrams said. “We’re not going to deny a kid food. We’re gonna work with those parents and figure out a way to do this.”

Abrams said the issue of unpaid lunches will likely be addressed with parents after the holiday season.

Elementary students in the district receive free breakfast and lunch through a community program. Middle and high school students are not currently eligible for that program.