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
