Policy 3680: Meal Charging

The Board desires to convey clear meal account procedures throughout the District. This policy also applies to individual schools and districts that have an Alternative Agreement with GRPS (School Food Authority). Consideration must be taken to ensure the fiscal responsibility for the food service program while also meeting the nutritional needs of students. 

GOALS:

• To ensure that students have a healthy meal and that no child goes hungry.
• To treat all students with dignity and confidentiality in the serving line.
• To develop clear communication among staff, administrators, teachers, students and parent/guardian.
• To develop consistent practices throughout the district regarding meal charges and the collection of charges.
• To encourage parent/guardian to assume the responsibility of meal payments to ensure financial resources to cover meal expenditures. 

The Food Service Department staff is responsible for monitoring student meal account balances and notifying parents/guardians of meal charges including low and negative balances, if applicable. Parents/Guardians are responsible for payment and/or completion and approval of a Free/Reduced School Meal Application. The Superintendent shall establish rules to implement this policy consistent with State requirements. 

Individual schools or districts covered under the Alternative Agreement with the District are responsible to pay any end of year account balances.