This resolution calls for the Rhode Island Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education to prepare a report on the school meal debt policy for all Rhode Island school districts and charter schools. The report should detail the rules regarding how schools handle unpaid student meal debts, including the impact on student privileges and the total debt accrued in the 2022-2023 and 2018-2019 school years. It should also include end-of-year balances before any bad debt write-offs and specify the amount of debt cleared with federal funding through the USDA. The report must exclude any personally identifying information and is to be submitted to the Rhode Island House of Representatives Finance Committee by June 15, 2024.
The resolution further instructs the Secretary of State to send a certified copy of this resolution to Angélica Infante-Green, the Rhode Island Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education. This action emphasizes the importance of transparency and accountability in the management of school meal debt and seeks to inform legislative decision-making regarding this issue.