Computer Error Leaves Students Without Lunches on First Day of School

As a result of a computer system error, some Barrow County students may have gone without lunches on the first day of school.

Winder resident Stephanie Sanders said her son Gavin, who attends the county’s new high school, the , went hungry his first day back.

Gavin, who last school year received free lunches, should have been included on a list of students allowed to receive free lunches for 30 days while applications for the new school year were being reviewed.

As a result of a computer error in the new system at the College and Career Preparatory Academy, some students were left off that list, including Gavin, school officials said.

“I was shocked that children were refused a meal,” Stephanie Sanders said in an email to Patch. “If the school (had) told us they wouldn't be allowed to charge or there was an issue, I would have happily given my son cash to eat.

“If I refuse to feed my child who’s in my care, it's considered physical neglect and I can be charged with a crime for doing just what the school did to many students in their care.”

Sanders said other students were refused lunches as well.

“Yesterday, we did have problems with that computer system, so it’s possible it happened to more than one student yesterday,” said Pamela LeFrois, director of school food nutrition for the school system. “But it’s fixed today and (cafeteria employees) didn’t refuse any meals today.”

It is the school system’s policy that high school students not be able to charge meals if they can't pay cash.

Students in elementary school are allowed to charge up to 10 meals and middle schools students may charge up to five. Once those charge limits have been reached, a peanut butter and jelly sandwich and milk are given to students until charges are cleared. Report cards are then held until the charges are paid.  If a student is allergic to peanuts or milk, a substitute is provided.

High school students who are unable to pay for lunch are not provided sandwiches and milk.

“It was our mistake,” LeFrois said of the computer system error at the new high school.

To make sure no one goes hungry as a result of the computer problems, the schools will provide students in any grade level with a peanut butter and jelly sandwich and milk if they can't pay for lunch, LeFrois said.

“We don’t want that child to be alienated, so we’re going to give (any students who can't pay cash) an alternate meal this week only,” LeFrois said.