Collection agency idea on hold at District 50

Woodland Elementary District officials decided this week they won't use a collection agency to bring in at least $76,000 in outstanding fees from tardy parents, instead opting to consider incentives to those who pay on time.

Board members say this isn't the proper time to hire a collection agency, a step recommended by administrators at Gurnee-based Woodland District 50. Following board discussion Wednesday night, Superintendent Joy Swoboda said District 50 will instead come up with some ideas on using positive reinforcement to encourage on-time fee payments.

Associate Superintendent Robert Leonard said Woodland has been chasing about $10,000 in bounced checks during this academic year. In addition, he said, Woodland so far is owned about $76,000 in unpaid fees that likely will drop to $35,000 before the school year ends if history is any barometer.

"We do track these bounced checks," Leonard said. "It's labor intensive."

Swoboda said district officials take a gentle approach when seeking unpaid fees from parents.

"It's not messages just left on a machine," said Swoboda. "Personal contacts are made with these families."

But the administration's recommendation to hire a collection agency died after District 50 board members discussed the idea.

One board member, Lawrence Gregorash, cited the poor economy as a reason not to apply pressure on parents to pay up this year. With foreclosures rising and other economic pressures abound, he said, Woodland doesn't need to become part of the "collection world."

"Let's see what the world looks like later," Gregorash said.

Board member Carla Little expressed concern with outsiders trying to collect debts from District 50 residents. She also suggested a reward system of sorts for on-time or early payments in an effort to encourage parents from incurring district debt.

However, District 50 board President Bruce Bohren raised the question of whether allowing parents to slide on fee payments is fair to those who get their money in on time.

Leonard said students in the kindergarten-through-eighth-grade Woodland system aren't denied services if their parents don't pay required fees. District 50 fees run the gamut and include registration, hot lunches and after-school programs.

Swoboda said waivers and payment plans are available to parents.