LACONIA — The Laconia School District has a trend of increasing student meal debt, which the district ultimately pays for through its operating budget. To alleviate this, leaders have made various a la carte items only available for purchase with cash or debit card this school year.

This includes items like ice cream, chips, fruit snacks, sliced fruit, pudding parfaits, French fries, soda and other drinks. They can be purchased with cash only until Wednesday, Oct. 1, when debit will also become an option.

In 2023-24, there was a lunch debt of $50,000, which increased to $70,000 last year, according to Interim Superintendent Amy Hinds. Hinds, along with Business Administrator Diane Clary and Interim Assistant Superintendent Lisa Hinds, explained there is an anticipated fund balance at the

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