710.04 Meal Charges

In accordance with state and federal law, the North Linn CSD 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.

Payment of Meals

Students have use of a meal account. Each household will have a low balance level. When the account reaches the low balance level the family will receive an email or mailed letter. Once the balance reaches $0.00 the family will receive an email daily until the balance is back above zero. If the balance reaches a negative balance of $10.00 the family is notified by phone, after the family reaches negative $20.00 they may charge a meal for two (2) additional days.  The family will then be required to deposit money into the account to bring the balance above zero (0). 

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 outstanding meal charge debt shall be allowed to purchase a meal if the student pays for the meal when it is received. 

Employees shall be held to the same standards as our students and follow the process in paragraph one. when an account reaches these limits, an employee shall not be allowed to charge further meals or ala carte items until the negative account balance is paid. 

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 of an outstanding negative balance once the negative balance reaches $10.00.  Families will be notified by email, postal service, or phone call.  Negative balances of more than $20.00, not paid within ten (10) days of notification will be turned over to the Superintendent or Superintendent's designee for collection.  Options for collection may include:  collection agencies, small claims court, or any other legal method permitted by law.