The Cherry Hill New Jersey School Board unanimously voted in a controversial new policy that states if a student's lunch debt balance reaches $75.00 they will be banned from any extracurricular school activities.
Jacob Graff, a student board member at Cherry Hill East told the Philadelphia Inquirer, "I think it is completely unfair that students can be penalized for their parents' inability to pay or unwillingness to pay. What this policy does is harm students in the aspects of their future."
Philadelphia businessman Steve Ravitz, offered to pay the districts $16,000 lunch debt but it was turned down by Cherry Hill School Superintendent Joseph Meloche and Board President Eric Goodwin who released a statement that read, "Simply erasing the debt does not address the many families with financial means who have just chosen not to pay what is owed."
Presidential candidates Elizabeth Warren, Cory Booker, and Bernie Sanders have all voiced their displeasure in the schools drastic measures.
Photo Credit: Getty Images