The purpose of the school food program shall be to provide nutritional, balanced meals to the students of the school district on a non-profit basis and to utilize the program as an instrument to teach nutrition education.

The school district will operate a school lunch and breakfast program in each attendance center.  The school food program services will include hot lunches through participation in the National School Lunch Program and supplementary foods for students during the school day.  Students may bring their lunches from home and purchase milk or juice and other incidental items.

School food service facilities are provided to serve students and employees when school is in session and during school-related activities.  They may also be used under the supervision of the food service director for food service to employee groups, parent-teacher meetings, civic organizations meeting for the purpose of better understanding the schools, and senior citizens in accordance with board policy.

The school food program is operated on a nonprofit basis.  The revenues of the school food program will be used only for paying the regular operating costs of the school food program.  Supplies of the school food program will only be used for the school food program. 

The board will set, and periodically review, the prices for school lunches, breakfast and special milk programs.  It is the responsibility of the superintendent to make a recommendation regarding the prices of school lunch, breakfast and milk.  Employees, students and others will be required to purchase tickets for meals consumed.

It is the responsibility of the food service director to administer the program and to cooperate with the superintendent and head cook for the proper functioning of the school food program.

 

Approved December 16, 2013     
Reviewed August 16, 2023    
Revised November 26, 2018  

 

Students enrolled and attending school in the school district who meet USDA eligibility guidelines will be provided the school nutrition program services at no cost or at a reduced price. 

The district shall at least twice annually notify all families of the availability, eligibility criteria, and application procedures for free or reduced price meals in accordance with state and federal law.  

It is the responsibility of the building principal to determine the eligibility of students for free or reduced price school nutrition programs, in accordance with criteria established by state and federal law. If school personnel have knowledge of a student who is in need of free or reduced-price meals, school personnel shall contact the building principal.

Students who participate in free or reduced price meal programs will not be distinguished in any way from students who pay the regular price; great care shall be taken to protect the anonymity of these students.  Their names will not be made known to any person except such staff member or members as needed to make the special arrangements for them.

Employees will be required to pay for meals consumed.

It is the responsibility of the superintendent to develop administrative regulations for implementing this policy.

 

Approved December 16, 2013     
Reviewed August 2, 2023 
Revised November 26, 2018

 

 

MEAL CHARGES

In accordance with state and federal law, The Red Oak Community School District adopts the following policy to ensure school district employees, families and students have a shared understanding of expectations regarding meal charges.  The policy seeks to allow students to receive the nutrition they need to stay focused during the school day, prevent the overt identification of students with insufficient funds to pay for school meals, and maintain the financial integrity of the nonprofit school nutrition program.

Payment of Meals

I.    Grades K-6th

• Students will be allowed to charge reimbursable meals.
• Ala carte items are not part of the USDA program and are not allowed to be charged if a student has a negative balance.

II.    Grades 7th-12th

• Students will be allowed to charge reimbursable meals up to $10.00
• Ala carte items are not part of the USDA program and are not allowed to be charged if a student has a negative balance.

III. District Employees

• District employees shall not be allowed to charge meals or carry a negative balance.
• All meal purchases must be prepaid before meal service begins

Students who qualify for free meals shall never be denied a reimbursable meal, even if they have accrued a negative balance from previous purchases.

Negative Account Balances

The school district will make reasonable efforts to notify families when meal account balances are low. Additionally, the school district will make reasonable efforts to collect unpaid meal charges classified as delinquent debt. Families will be notified by an automated calling system and e-mail notification.  Negative balances of more than $50 not paid prior to the end of the month will be turned over to the Superintendent or Superintendent’s designee for collection. Negative balances of more than $15 not paid prior to the end of the school year will be turned over to the Superintendent or Superintendent’s designee for collection.  Options for collection may include: collection agencies, small claims court, or any other legal method permitted by law.

Free/Reduced Priced Meals

Free and reduced priced meals are available to those families who qualify. 

Information regarding free or reduced priced meals will be provided at least twice annually to the parents or guardians of all enrolled students.

Students who qualify for free meals shall never be denied a reimbursable meal, even if they have accrued a negative balance from previous purchases. Students with outstanding meal charge debt shall be allowed to purchase a meal if the student pays for the meal when it is received.

If a student owes money for five or more meals, school personnel may contact the student’s parent or guardian to provide information regarding the application for free or reduced priced meals or to provide information on other options or assistance available.

Unpaid Student Meals Account

The district will establish an unpaid student meals account in a school nutrition fund. Funds from private sources and funds from the district flexibility account may be deposited into the unpaid school meals account in accordance with law. Funds deposited into this account shall be used only to pay individual student meal debt.

Communication of the Policy

The policy and supporting information regarding meal charges shall be provided to:

• All households at or before the start of each school year
• Students and families who transfer into the district, at time of transfer; and
• All staff responsible for enforcing any aspect of the policy. 

Records of how and when the policy and supporting information was communicated to households and staff will be retained.

The Superintendent may develop an administrative process to implement this policy.

 

Approved: October 10, 2022

Reviewed August 16, 2023

Revised