Bismarck families can face debt collection for unpaid school lunch balances, a practice that is legal in North Dakota despite a state law passed in 2023 aimed at preventing "lunch shaming." While every K-12 student has a legal right to receive a lunch at school without stigma, families who cannot afford to pay can still experience long-term financial consequences, and some students may choose to go hungry to avoid accumulating debt.
Michelle Wagner, the child nutrition program director for Bismarck Public Schools and legislative chair for the North Dakota School Nutrition Association, confirmed that Bismarck is among the school districts that refer parents to debt collection agencies for unpaid meal account balances. Wagner stated this action is used as a last resort. Across North Dakota, a state survey indicated more than two dozen school districts reported referring parents to debt collection for this reason.
The 2023 state legislation, known as the anti-lunch shaming bill, requires school districts to provide a meal to any student who requests one, even if they lack the funds. It also prohibits schools from identifying or stigmatizing students for unpaid meal debts and bans certain consequences like limiting participation in graduation or other school activities. However, the law did not ban the practice of referring parents to debt collection agencies or withholding transcripts.
Wagner expressed concerns about the effectiveness of the 2023 law. “I think the legislators had good intentions when they developed that anti-lunch shaming bill. But then there’s like no funding to help support it. So it’s really put us as districts and families in a tough situation,” Wagner said. Lynelle Johnson, director of the Office of Child Nutrition and Food Distribution for the Department of Public Instruction, noted that lawmakers did not ban debt collection because they “felt like that was one last thing they could do.”
Being referred to debt collections carries significant financial consequences for families in Bismarck and beyond. The debt can be placed on a person’s credit report, lowering their credit score. According to credit agencies Experian and TransUnion, this information can remain on a credit report for up to seven years from the debt’s date, even if it is paid off. Lise Kruse, commissioner of the Department of Financial Institutions, which regulates collection agencies in North Dakota, explained that the note “shows your history on your ability to pay your debt," which can make it more difficult for individuals to secure loans from banks. “The credit score isn’t everything when they make a decision, but it definitely helps to have clean credit,” Kruse added.
Statewide, student meal debt totaled approximately $2 million at the end of the 2025-26 school year, a figure Johnson reported to lawmakers last month. This total does not account for nearly $46,000 in donations or almost $500,000 transferred from districts’ general fund budgets used to reduce the debt.
Sen. Scott Meyer, R-Grand Forks, defended the practice of debt collection referrals, stating it is up to each school district to determine appropriate penalties. He argued that without such measures, taxpayers would likely bear the cost through state funding or increased property taxes. Meyer commented, “If you’re not paying it, it’s going to get paid some way, and now you’re possibly putting it on the backs of your neighbors.” He also acknowledged the need for legislative discussion regarding the lack of funding in the 2023 bill.
Beyond debt collection, some districts employ other tactics. The Elgin New Leipzig School District in southwest North Dakota, for example, withholds transcripts from students with outstanding lunch bills when they apply to college or volunteer for the military. Superintendent Sherlock Hirning described this as successful in collecting debt, though he noted the district would eventually relent if a transcript was requested a second time. Amy Jacobson, a member of the Together for School Meals coalition, called these “very shaming tactics.” While the Elgin district is in compliance with state law, there could be long-term consequences if families cannot pay.
A February state survey, which was not exhaustive and included responses from 79 of 193 participating districts, indicated three districts affected transcripts or permanent records due to meal debt. Garrison Public Schools was one of these, but Superintendent Nick Klemisch later stated this was likely an error and denied any policy to withhold transcripts or note debt on records. Klemisch noted Garrison rarely faces unpaid debt issues, successfully fundraises, and works with parents on payment plans.
The lingering issue is whether all students who need a lunch actually receive one. Johnson explained that while all students have the opportunity, many do not take it to avoid accumulating debt. She cited anecdotes of students choosing not to go through the lunch line, visiting restrooms during lunch, or older students leaving school premises to avoid the stigma of unpaid meals. Meyer reiterated that while schools provide access, they “can’t force them to eat.”
In Bismarck, six elementary schools and one alternative high school already provide free lunch and breakfast to all students through the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) program, as more than one-fourth of their students qualify for federal assistance. Wagner noted that staff at these Bismarck schools have observed significant positive impacts, including better student effort and fewer visits to the nurse for stomach aches, which are likely caused by hunger, during the morning. “Feeding kids is the right thing," Wagner stated. Turtle Mountain Community School (Belcourt School District) also participates in CEP, with administrator Earl Demery reporting a positive impact on academic performance.
