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P 5550 Meal Charges

Pupose

The purpose of this policy is to maintain consistent meal account procedures throughout the District. Unpaid charges place a financial strain on District finances.  The Food Service Department is responsible for maintaining food charge records and for notifying the District’s accounting department of outstanding balances.

Employees

Employees may charge meals only after completing the form provided by the district authorizing the district to withhold the amount of any unpaid charges from the employee’s pay.  The district will withhold amounts due from meal charges in the pay period immediately following each school quarter (November, January, April and June).  Employees may appeal a deduction for meal charges using the process outline in policy 4520.

Students

  1. Student Groups:
    • Elementary students will be allowed to charge a maximum of ten ($10.00) dollars.
      1. These meals will include only the menu items of the reimbursable meal.
      2. After the balance exceeds ten ($10.00) dollars, the student may be given a designated menu alternate.
    • Middle School and High School students will be allowed to charge a maximum of ten ($10.00) dollars.After this maximum has been met, no additional charges will be accepted.
  2. No charges will be allowed for ala carte foods and beverages.
  3. Parents/guardians of students with negative balances will be contacted electronically, by correspondence, or by phone call by the Building Secretary/Designee. Repeated failure to settle account balance will result in a referral to the Superintendent's office for collection..
  4. On May 15 annually all charging will be cut off.
    • Parents/guardians will be sent a written request for “payment in full.”
    • All charges not paid before the end of the school year will be carried forward into the next school year.
    • Graduating seniors must pay all charges in full.Failure to do so may result in the delinquent student being denied participation in graduation ceremonies.
  5. If a financial hardship is suspected, families will be encouraged to apply for free/reduced meals at any time during the school year.
  6. Each building principal/designee will send a letter to all parents on or before the first day of school notifying them of the requirements of this policy. This policy will also be published on the District's website.

Board Approved Date: August 14, 2023
Last Updated: September 2018