INTERNATIONAL FALLS PUBLIC SCHOOLS

INDEPENDENTSCHOOL DISTRICT #361

  1. Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to impart to students, employees and the community the school district’s policy related to student needs and charges associated with the school nutritional program and to establish consistent meal account procedures for International Falls Public Schools. The policy seeks to allow students to receive the nutrition they need to stay focused during the school day and minimize identification of students with insufficient funds to pay for school meals as well as to maintain the financial integrity of the school nutrition program.

  1. General Statement of Policy
  1. Independent School District No. 361 recognizes the parent/guardian’s responsibility to provide breakfast and lunch for their children. Proper nutritional intake is essential for adequate learning to occur.
  1. It is the policy of Independent School District No. 361 to offer breakfast and lunch each day. The food service department strives to produce quality meals in an efficient and fiscally responsible manner.
  1. Students may purchase meals when funds have been deposited into their student account.
  1. Funds may be deposited daily in any school office. Payments may also be made on-line with debit or credit cards through the district webstore. If a parent or guardian chooses to send in one payment that is to be divided between sibling accounts, the parent or guardian must specify how the funds are to be distributed to the students’ accounts. Funds may not be transferred by a student between sibling accounts unless written permission is received from the parent or guardian.
  1. Parents/guardians are encouraged to frequently check the account status on line at Parents/guardians may choose to block items from being purchased, such as extra milk and ala carte items by contacting Michelle Hopkins at 218-283-2571 ext. 181.
  1. Households may apply for free/reduced meals anytime during the school year. Applications are mailed to all households in the school district prior to the school year and are included in enrollment packets. In addition, applications are available at the district office, all school offices and district website.
  1. If the school district receives school lunch aid under Minn. Stat. § 124D.111, it must make lunch available without charge to all participating students who qualify for free or reduced-price meals regardless of account balance.
  1. If students are on the free/reduced meal program, only the first meal will be included at the free or reduced price. Subsequent purchase will be charged at regular prices. Students must select adequate meal components to comprise a reimbursable meal under the USDA guidelines. If students/parents/guardians have any questions about the free/reduced meal program they school contact Michelle Hopkins at 218-283-2571 ext. 181.
  1. Procedures for Notifying Families
  1. Family balances are available on the District website. Statements may be requested from your child’s school office.
  1. The Food Service Program is a pre-payment program. Families are expected to have a positive balance in the food service account at the beginning of the year and during the course of the school program year.
  1. The parent/guardian will be notified when the student account is at $10.00 or less via the district telephone/e-mail notification system on Tuesday of each week. Reminders for payment of outstanding student meal balances will not demean or stigmatize any student participating in the school lunch program.
  1. Additionally, calls will be made to parent/guardian when a student account is at -$10.00 via the district telephone/e-mail notification system on Friday of each week.
  1. Procedures for Accounts with $0 or Negative Balances
  1. A student with an outstanding meal charge debt will be allowed to purchase a meal if the student pays for the meal when it is received.
  1. Any account with a $0 or negative balance will not be allowed ala carte(snack) purchases until the account contains sufficient funds to cover the purchase. Students will be directed to replace ala carte items at the purchase point and chose a reimbursable meal instead.
  1. Elementary Accounts (Gr. P-6); An elementary account which reaches the threshold of -20.00 shall be sent a letter and free/reduced form informing the household that a meal should be provided from home until such time the account is brought to a positive balance or payment arrangements are made. If no meal is provided or contact made by parent/guardian the child shall still receive a meal but the account will be referred to the school social worker for intervention.
  1. Secondary Accounts (Gr. 7-12); A secondary account which reaches the threshold of -20.00 shall have a notification and free/reduced form sent home with student informing the household that the account is closed to further transactions until such time the account is brought to a positive balance or payment arrangements are made. If no meal is provided or contact made by the parent-guardian the student will only be allowed a meal if cash in hand is presented to purchase the meal for that day. NO FURTHER CHARGING WILL BE ALLOWED. The building principal or their designee will contact the household and review with them their responsibility to provide meals for their student.
  1. The school district will make reasonable efforts to communicate with families to resolve the matter of unpaid charges. Where appropriate, families may be encouraged to apply for free and reduced-price meals for their children.
  1. Assistance from county social services may be requested by the school social worker for possible neglect when above procedures are unsuccessful.
  1. Negative balances of more than $50, not paid prior to end of the school year will be turned over to the superintendent or superintendent’s designee for collection. Collection options may include, but are not limited to, use of collection agencies, claims in the conciliation court, or any other legal method permitted by law.
  1. The school district may not enlist the assistance of non-school district employees, such as volunteers, to engage in debt collection efforts.
  1. Staff Meals
  1. Staff meals may be purchased at a price determined by the School Board. Staff meal portions may not exceed those given to high school aged students. There will be no charging of staff meals. Staff accounts must maintain a positive balance and any purchase of a meal which would place the account into a negative balance will be refused.
  1. COMMUNICATION OF POLICY

a.This policy and any pertinent supporting information shall be provided in writing (i.e., mail, email, back-to-school packet, student handbook, etc.) to:

1.all households at or before the start of each school year;

2.students and families who transfer into the school district, at the time of enrollment; and

3.all school district personnel who are responsible for enforcing this policy.

b.The school district will post the policy on the school district’s website, in addition to providing the required written notification described above.

Legal References:

Minn. Stat.§ 124D.111, Subd. 4

42 U.S.C. § 1751 et seq.(Healthy and Hunger-Free Kids Act)

7 C.F.R. § 210 et seq. (School Lunch Program Regulations)

7 C.F.R. § 220.8 (School Breakfast Program Regulations)

USDA Policy Memorandum SP 46-2016, Unpaid Meal Charges: Local Meal Charge Policies (2016)

USDA Policy Memorandum SP 47-2016, Unpaid Meal Charges: Clarification on Collection of Delinquent Meal Payments (2016)

USDA Policy Memorandum SP23-2017, Unpaid Meal Charges: Guidance and Q&A

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