The school district will operate a school nutrition program in each attendance center.  The school nutrition program will include meals through participation in the National School Lunch Program.  Students may bring their lunches from home and purchase milk and other incidental items.

School nutrition program 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 head cook for food service to employees groups, parent-teacher meetings, civic organizations meeting for the purpose of better understanding the schools, and senior citizens with permission of the superintendent and in accordance with law and board policy.

The school nutrition program is operated on a nonprofit basis. The revenues of the school nutrition program will be used only for the operation or improvement of such programs.  Supplies of the school nutrition program.

The board will set, and annually review, the prices for school nutrition programs.  It is the responsibility of the superintendent to make a recommendation regarding the prices of school nutrition programs, in accordance with federal and state law. 

It shall be the responsibility of the head cook to administer the program and to cooperate with the superintendent and appropriate personnel for the proper functioning of the school nutrition program.

The school district shall comply with all federal and state laws and regulations required for procurement, including the selection and evaluation of contractors.

 

 

Approved:                  
Reviewed:  11-09-99, 11-12-02, 12-12-05, 01-15-09, 06-11-12, 5-14-18                          
Revised:  07-01-92, 8-13-12, 10-9-17, 9-13-22          

 

Students enrolled and attending school in the school district who meet United States Department of Agriculture eligibility guidelines will be provided the school nutrition program services at no cost or at a reduced  price.  The school district shall make reasonable efforts to prevent the overt identification of students who are eligible for free and reduced price meals.

The school 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 district personnel have knowledge of a student who is in need of free or reduced price meals, school district personnel shall contact the building principal.

If a student owes money for five or more meals, the building principal may contact the student’s parent or guardian to provide information regarding the application for free or reduced price meals.  The school district is encouraged to provide reimbursable meals to students who request reimbursable meals unless the students’ parent or guardian has specifically provided written direction to the school district to withhold a meal from the student. 

Employees will be required to pay for meals consumed.

 

 

Approved:  7-1-92                 
Reviewed:  10-09-95, 11-9-99, 11-12-02, 12-12-05, 01-15-09, 5-14-18
Revised:  10-9-17, 7-8-19, 9-13-22

 

Food and beverages sold individually outside the school nutrition program during the school day will meet the nutritional guidelines established by the school district and as required by state or federal law.  Vending machines in the school building shall be the responsibility of the building administrator.   Purchases from the vending machines, will not be made one-half hour prior to, during or one-half hour after the service of meals unless permission has been granted by the principal.

 

 

Approved:  7-1-92                 
Reviewed:  10-09-95, 11-9-99, 11-12-02, 12-12-05, 01-15-09, 5-14-18
Revised: 9-13-22                                                                    

 

In accordance with state and federal law, the 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

All meal purchases are to be prepaid before meal service begins. Payment is accepted in the school district office by check or cash and is added to the student account at time of payment. Students who do not have sufficient funds shall not be allowed to charge seconds on meals or a la carte items until additional money is deposited in the student account.

Students who qualify for free meals shall never be denied a reimbursable meal, even if they have accrued a negative balance from previous purchases. Schools are encouraged to provide a reimbursable meal to students with outstanding meal charge debt.  If an alternate meal is provided, the meal must be the same meal presented in the same manner to any student requesting an alternate meal.

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. The school district will coordinate communications with the student’s parent or guardian to resolve the matter of unpaid charges. Parents or guardians will be notified of a low lunch balance once the balance falls below positive $10.00. Families will be notified by letter, email, and/or text alerts based on their preference of communication. Negative balances of more than $20.00, not paid prior to the end of month will be turned over to the superintendent or designee for collection. Options may include: collection agencies, small claims court or any other legal method permitted by law.

Unpaid Student Meals Account

The school district will establish an unpaid student meals account in a school nutrition fund.  Funds from private sources and funds from the school district flexibility account may be deposited into the unpaid school district 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 in writing to:

• All households at or before the start of each school year;
• Students and families who transfer into the school 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.

 

 

Approved:  10-9-17                              
Reviewed:  5-14-18                              
Revised:  7-8-19, 9-13-22