| School Food Service Meal Accounts |
Purpose. The purpose of this policy is to establish consistent meal account procedures throughout the School District. The goals of the policy are:
To treat all students with respect in the serving line regarding meal accounts regardless of the student's eligibility status;
To establish policies that are age appropriate;
To encourage the parent/guardian to assume the responsibility of meal payments and to promote self-responsibility of the student; and
To establish a consistent district policy regarding overdrawn accounts and collection of negative balances.
Adherence to USDA Guidelines. In accordance with the USDA guidelines for participating in the National School Breakfast, Lunch, and Snack Programs, all students who meet the criteria for eligibility for free benefits will not be denied a breakfast or a lunch meal for any reason. It is the parent/guardian's responsibility to apply for benefits if needed; however, the USDA guidelines permit the principal or designee to complete an application for a student known to be needy. Federal guidelines for principals may be obtained from the School Food Service Department.
Unpaid Meals or Overdrawn Meal Accounts. Meal charges are for emergency use only and are designed to cover situations when parents or students forget to bring or provide funds for meals. The School District shall follow the guidelines below for unpaid meals for the designated school/grade level group.
Elementary Schools:
Elementary school students are allowed to overdraw their cafeteria account by a maximum of three paid lunch meal equivalents.
Anytime a student does not have enough money to purchase a meal, the student will receive the meal of his/her choice until such time that the student attempts to make a purchase that would result in an account balance that would exceed the three paid lunch meal equivalents. The parent/guardian will be notified verbally or in writing of the negative account balance.
For any meal purchase where the account would result in a charge of more than three paid lunch meal equivalents, the student will receive a nutritious replacement meal of a cheese sandwich on whole wheat bread and a choice of a low fat milk or a 100% fruit juice (documented food allergies will be accommodated). An Overdrawn Account Letter will be sent home with the student at such time.
No student will be allowed to charge a la carte.
Middle Schools:
Middle school students are allowed to overdraw their cafeteria account by a maximum total of one paid lunch meal equivalents.
The parent/guardian will be notified verbally or in writing of the negative account balance. The student will receive the meal of his/her choice until such time that the account balance would exceed the one paid lunch meal equivalent.
No student will be allowed to charge a la carte.
High Schools:
The replacement meal as provided in this section is provided at no cost to the student. The School District recognizes that such replacement meal cost is non-reimbursable to the School District.
All Students.
In repeated instances of any student not having funds to cover his or her meals, the parents or guardian shall be provided with information on the application process for free or reduced priced meals.
An unpaid food service debt will follow a student from pre-K through High School.
Adults.
No purchases will be allowed without proper payment. Adults may pay for meals in advance.
Delegation of Authority Regarding Unpaid Balances. The Superintendent, or designee, shall establish guidelines for the collection of all food service related charges due to the School District, including but not limited to the establishment of a mutually agreed upon payment plan until an account is paid in full, the use of a collection agency, and write-off of uncollectible debt.
| STATUTORY AUTHORITY: | Fla. Stat. §§ 1001.41; 1001.42(14) |
| LAWS IMPLEMENTED: | Fla. Stat. § 1006.06 |
| STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION RULES: | F.A.C. 6A-7.0411 |
| HISTORY: | 9/3/2008 |