Stevensville School District

NONINSTRUCTIONAL OPERATIONS

Meal Charge Policy

Note: For the purpose of this policy, parent includes guardian, caretaker relative, and any adult responsible for the care of the child.

The goal of the Stevensville School District is to allow children to receive the nutrition they need to stay focused during the school day. The purpose of this policy is to ensure compliance with federal reporting requirements for the USDA Child Nutrition Program and to provide oversight and accountability for the collection of outstanding student meal balances.

The District complies with Federal USDA policies on meal charging and debt collection. All meal charges must be paid directly to the Stevensville School District.

If a student is without meal money, the administration will take action deemed necessary to collect unpaid meal charges while ensuing the nutritional needs of the student are met in providing the student with a regular meal. If financial hardship exists, parents and families will be encouraged to apply for free or reduced price lunches for their child(ren).

Meal Charges
A student is allowed to charge no more than 10 meals. After the 10th meal is charged, the parent must send money to pay the charges or send meals from home with your child. If there are financial problems, please contact the school and we will implement a payment program. [A la carte items may not be charged.]

Zero-Balance Prevention
Parents are responsible for meal payment to the food service program. Notices of low or deficit balances will be sent to parents at regular intervals during the school year.
The student may check with the [cashiers, lunch supervisor] to see the balance of their account at any time.

Refunds for withdrawn or graduating students. A written request for a refund of any money remaining in their account must be submitted. An e-mail request is also acceptable. Students who are graduating at the end of the year will be given the option to transfer to a sibling’s account with a written request.

Unclaimed Funds must be requested within one school year. Unclaimed funds will become the property of the Stevensville School District Food Service Program.

Past Due Account Collection
Uncollected meal debt will be sent to collections per state and/or federal guidelines.

Legal Reference:
https://www.fns.usda.gov/school-meals/policy
Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act of 2004, PL 108-265
Child Nutrition Act 1966, 42 United States Code (USC) Section 1771 et seq.
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, 29 United States Code (USC)
Section 794 et seq.
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), 20 United States Code
(USC) Sections 1400-1485
7 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Parts 15B, 210 and 220

Policy History:
Adopted on: October 10, 2017
Reviewed on: September 12, 2017; September 18, 2023
Revised on: