Lawyer hired for cafeteria worker who took lunch from Wellington middle schooler

WELLINGTON — The union representing a cafeteria worker who seized a McCormick Middle School student's lunch over a $6 debt has retained a lawyer to represent her. "It's a little quick for that, but maybe because of the gravity they felt they needed to," Superintendent Ed Weber said Wednesday. Typically attorneys are brought into the picture after disciplinary steps are taken, not before, he said. The incident, which happened in mid-January, was caught on video. Weber confirmed a complaint made by parent Brian Babb on social media, which alleged the child's lunch was taken while he was eating. Weber said it was a clear violation of a 2-year-old district policy that allows students to accrue debt of up to $20 before being red-flagged. It would be the principal's job — not that of a cafeteria worker — to step in after that. "We have taken steps to correct that matter and to make sure our students don't face that kind of situation at school," he told the Board of Education on Tuesday. Weber said he received a report from Principal Nathan Baxendale about the incident, which will allow the superintendent to hold hearings. "It continues to be investigated," he said. The school board met behind closed doors Tuesday night to talk about the situation. Any discipline beyond a letter of reprimand would require a board vote. School board members agreed to a special meeting in February so that the issue wouldn't be dragged out another month, Weber said. That meeting has not yet been scheduled. Since the incident was made public, the Wellington school district has received $525 in donations to help erase meal debt. One donor — a former Pittsfield Township resident who now lives in Florida — gave $500. He was seething about the problem and wanted to make sure children who need lunches get them. Weber said the gifts come close to eliminating all lunch debt — that includes accounts that were just a few dollars over, as well as those approaching the limit. They "show the tenderheartedness of the community to love and serve all people," he said. Contact Jason Hawk at (440) 329-7122 or news@lcnewspapers.com.