A Philadelphia businessman says he has offered to pay the school lunch debt at Wyoming Valley West that recently sparked a national controversy, but the district's board president refused the offer.

In a message to The Citizens' Voice, Todd Carmichael, the CEO and co-founder of La Colombe Coffee, claimed Board President Joe Mazur on Monday denied his offer to pay the full tab, which is around $22,000.

The school ignited shock and outrage across the nation recently after sending letters to parents threatening to place students in foster care if the debt was not paid.

"Shockingly, Mr. Mazur turned us down. I can't explain or justify his actions. Let me be clear: we offered over $22,000 with no strings attached. And he said "NO," Carmichael wrote.

A consultant for La Colombe on Monday confirmed the authenticity of the letter in a phone call, also expressing surprise Wyoming Valley West would refuse the donation and let the controversy fester.

"Over the weekend, Todd saw a lot of the national press about the issue. He said this doesn't need to be a thing. We can fix this," said Aren Platt, a consultant for La Colombe. "Mr. Mazur was emphatic that he was non interested in taking the money. It's bizarre to me you'd call a school board president and they would say no."

Efforts to reach Mazur on Monday were not successful.

Board Solicitor Charles Coslett, who drew criticism from some for defending the foster care threat, said he has not heard of Mazur's alleged refusal.

He did say he thinks the district can accept donations.

"Anyone can answer for the debt of another. It would be lawful," Coslett said.

Luzerne County Manager David Pedri, who earlier in the day appeared on CNN to address the matter, said multiple people reached out Monday offering to donate.

"Today, I received communications from various people who inquired as to how they could pay off the school lunch debt. I will send their contact information to the school district for review," Pedri said.

During his CNN appearance, Pedri vowed Luzerne County Children and Youth officials will never strip parents of their children over school lunch debt.