710.4 - Negative Balances

The Colo-NESCO Community School District Food Service department is a self-operating and self-sustaining program.  In order to maintain financial stability and equality for all lunch paying students I the school district, this policy regarding lunch accounts will be followed.  The State of Iowa Nutrition Program recommends that negative balances are not acceptable; however, a general fund subsidy for negative balances could be appropriate.  The Board of Education desires the Colo-NESCO Community School District Food Service department to be self-supporting and therefore discourages general fun subsidies.

Breakfast and Lunch Policy – Staff & Grades Pre-K-Twelfth Grade
Adults will not be allowed to charge any meals or ala carte items.  Adults must have cash or money in their account to make a purchase.

Students will be reminded by the cashier when their account balance falls below $5.00.

Adults/Parents/Guardians are encouraged to maintain a positive account balance.  We encourage parents/guardians to use the online payment system.

Upon the first negative balance of any amount incurred, the building secretary/food service secretary will contact the parent/guardian by phone, email, or a written notice indicating to the parent/guardian the balance owed.  This will be done at a minimum of once weekly.

If a negative balance of $40.00 or greater is reached, a letter will be sent home from the building secretary/food service secretary to the parent/guardian stating that his/her child has a negative balance and that options are to make payment arrangements or have the child bring a sack lunch to school.  

If payment is still not made after reaching $80.00, the parent will be sent a certified letter from the business office stating that payment must be made immediately

A contact from the building secretary/food service secretary will continue to be made weekly for any negative balances.  

The Superintendent and/or building Principal may call any families with negative balances totaling $100.00 or more. Families that reach a negative balance of $200.00 or more may be turned over to collections.

Please note that money needs to be available in a child’s lunch account in order for extra meals, extra/snack milks, or ala carte items to be purchased. This applies to all students, including students from families participating in the free and reduced program.

Negative balances will be carried over to the following school year.  These negative balances must be paid in full prior to school starting as part of the school registration process. The school district and the Food Service department reserve the right to take any other reasonable action, including legal action, to collect the balance due in any student’s account.

 

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: 02/20/23        Reviewed: 02/20/23          Revised 02/20/23