Concerning Ken Black's article in the T-R Oct. 11. He commended the school for taking control of lunch charging and hiring a collection agency to collect back charge money due.

Now he needs to act like a responsible parent and make sure there is money at all times in his stepdaughter's account. Or doesn't he know how to be a responsible parent? How far do you think that $20 or $30 check goes when she is eating school breakfast and lunch?

When we had kids in school we marked the calendar and talked to them about their lunch ticket and made sure they had money. There was no expecting the school to let them charge until we remembered to send more money. We didn't blame other people if we forgot to send lunch money, we made sure it was there.

You approve the "prison meal" for everyone else but your own, right Mr. Black? The cheese sandwich and milk meet state and federal requirements, - you just didn't check far enough.

I worked for food service and know for a 100 percent fact every student is reminded three or four times when their funds are starting to get low and on first charge.

These new changes were in the paper several times last spring and summer and you were given a letter at registration.

Now start acting like an adult and keep track of her money or guess what - she'll get another cheese sandwich after three charges.

Food services has a lot of other things to do besides contact delequient lunch parents everyday. It wouldn't hurt your child to carry their lunch on days they really don't like school lunch a lot of food is thrown anyway because of this as well. They can still buy their milk only. More kids than you think do this, from time to time. Even the teachers do it.

You checked lunch requirements online you can check their lunch accounts online as well. Or simply mark your calendar.