Unpaid Meals/Charge Policy
- If a student does not have funds to pay for a meal, the student may receive up to five reimbursable meals (that are available to all students), and will not be permitted to exceed this limit until the outstanding charges are paid in full;
- If a student's prepaid meal card or account has been exhausted, he or she will be given a grace period where no more than five reimbursable meals (that are available to all students) may be provided to the students, to allow time for the meal card or account to be replenished.
- The only item(s) permitted to be served are a complete meal or milk. A la carte items such as snacks or ice cream will not be available to students with zero or negative balances;
- The District's point-of-sale system will track all charges and payments;
- If a student comes to school without a meal, and has exceeded the maximum reimbursable-meal limit, the District may provide a reimbursable meal (that is available to all students) so that he or she does not go hungry that day;
- If financial hardship exists, parents and guardians are encouraged to apply for free or reduced priced meals for their child/children.
- As appropriate, District administration may contact Social Services to report a student's consistent failure to arrive at school with a meal or the means to purchase one.
Unpaid meal balances will be addressed directly with the student's parent or guardian who is responsible for providing funds for meal purchases; discreet notifications of low, exhausted, or deficit balances will be sent at appropriate intervals during the school year. The notification may include a repayment schedule, but will not incur any interest or fees related to meals charged during the grace period. District administration will further consider the benefits of attempted collections and the costs that would be expended in collection attempts.