Students enrolled and attending school in the school district who meet USDA 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 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 Food Service Director 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 personnel have knowledge of a student who is in need of free or reduced-price meals, school personnel shall contact the Food Service Director.

If a student owes money for five or more meals, district administration may contact the student’s parent or guardian to provide information regarding the application for free or reduced price meals.  The school 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 to withhold a meal from the student. 

Employees will be required to pay for meals consumed.

It is the responsibility of the superintendent to develop administrative regulations for implementing this policy.

 

 

Legal Reference:  42 U.S.C. §§ 1751 et seq..
                                       7 C.F.R. §§ 210 et seq..
                                       Iowa Code § 283A.
                                       281 I.A.C. 58.

Cross Reference:  710.1  School Nutrition Program
                                       710.3  Vending Machines
                                       710.4  Meal Charge Policy

Approved August 15, 2022                    Reviewed                                                                                Revised                   

 

Food served or purchased by students during the school day and food served or purchased for other than special circumstances is approved by the superintendent.  Vending machines in the school building are the responsibility of the building principal.  Purchases from the vending machines, will reflect the guidelines in the Wellness policy 507.9.

It is the responsibility of the superintendent to develop administrative regulations for the use of vending machines and other sales of food to students.

 

 

Legal Reference:  42 U.S.C. §§ 1751 et seq.
                                       7 C.F.R. Pt. 210 et seq.
                                       Iowa Code ch. 283A
                                       281 I.A.C. 58.
Cross Reference:  504.5  Student Fund Raising
                                       710     School Food Services

Approved August 15, 2022        Reviewed                                Revised                   

 

In accordance with state and federal law, the Clarinda 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.

 Families are encouraged to apply for free or reduced meals anytime during the school year.  Applications are available at all school offices or at the district website.  Free and reduced applications are confidential.

 

Payment of Meals

All meal purchases are prepaid before meal service begins.  Payment can be made at any school administrative office (elementary school, middle school, high school), the district administrative office, or online through PowerSchool.

 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 meal charges that have been sent to collection shall be allowed to purchase a meal if the student pays for the meal when it is received.

 

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 families to resolve the matter of unpaid charges. Families will be notified when the account does not have sufficient funds to provide meal services.  The district may notify families of delinquent debt by email, letter, phone, and text messaging as possible.  Negative balances that exceed $10 and not paid prior the end of the week will be turned over to the superintendent or the superintendent’s designee for collection.  Failure to make payment to the district may result in use of additional collection options, such as collection agencies, small claims court, or any other legal methods permitted by law.

 

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 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.

 

 

Legal Reference:  42 U.S.C. §§ 1751 et seq.
                                              7 C.F.R. §§ 210 et seq.
                                         U.S. Dep’t of Agric., SP 46-2016, Unpaid Meal Charges: Local Meal Charge Policies (2016).
                                         U.S. Dep’t of Agric., SP 47-2016, Unpaid Meal Charges: Clarification on Collection of Delinquent Meal Payments (2016).
                                         U.S. Dep’t of Agric., SP 57-2016, Unpaid Meal Charges: Guidance and Q&A (2016).
                                              Iowa Code 283A.
                                         281 I.A.C. 58.

Cross Reference:  710.1   School Food Program
                                        710.2   Free or Reduced Cost Meals Eligibility
                                        710.3   Vending Machine

 Approved August 15, 2022                    Reviewed                                                                                Revised