- Cambridge-Isanti Schools
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- 534 - Unpaid Meal Charges
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POLICY 534 - SCHOOL MEALS
I. PURPOSE
The purpose of this policy is to ensure that students receive healthy and nutritious meals through the school district’s nutrition program and that school district employees, families, and students have a shared understanding of expectations regarding meal charges. The policy of the school district is to provide meals to students in a respectful manner and to maintain the dignity of students by prohibiting lunch shaming or otherwise ostracizing the student. 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.
II. PAYMENT OF MEALS
- Families may submit payment via cash or check at any school office or the Education Services Center, or utilize our online payment system through Family Access via debit/credit card or checking account. Food Service staff are able to accept payments over the phone at the Education Services Center, and can be reached at 763-689-6210.
- If the school district receives school lunch aid under Minnesota Statutes section 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.
- 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.
- A student who has been determined to be eligible for free and reduced-price lunch always must be served a reimbursable meal even if the student has an outstanding debt.
- Once a meal has been placed on a student’s tray or otherwise served to a student, the meal may not be subsequently withdrawn from the student by the cashier or other school official, whether or not the student has an outstanding meals balance.
- When a student has a negative account balance, the student will not be allowed to charge a la carte item or second entree.
- Parents or guardians make payments to one account that is shared between all sibling accounts.
III. LOW OR NEGATIVE ACCOUNT BALANCES – NOTIFICATION
- The school district will make reasonable efforts to notify families when meal account balances are low or fall below zero.
- Families will be notified of their balance once it is less than $10. Families will be notified by automated emails and text messages.
- Reminders for payment of outstanding student meal balances will not demean or stigmatize any student participating in the school lunch program, including, but not limited to, dumping meals, withdrawing a meal that has been served, announcing or listing students’ names publicly, or affixing stickers, stamps, or pins.
IV. UNPAID MEAL CHARGES
- 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.
- Families may apply for free/reduced meals anytime during the school year. Applications are mailed to all families in the school district prior to the school year. In addition, applications are available at the district office, all school offices and on the district’s website under Food Service.
- The school district will make reasonable efforts to collect unpaid meal charges classified as delinquent debt. Unpaid meal charges are designated as delinquent debt when payment is overdue, the debt is considered collectable, and efforts are being made to collect it.
- Negative balances of more than $50, will be turned over to the superintendent or superintendent’s designee for collection. In some instances, the school district does use a collection agency to collect unpaid school meal debts after reasonable efforts first have been made by the school district to collect the debt. 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.
- The school district may not enlist the assistance of non-school district employees, such as volunteers, to engage in debt collection efforts.
- The school district will not impose any other restriction prohibited under Minnesota Statutes section 123B.37 due to unpaid student meal balances. The school district will not limit a student’s participation in any school activities, graduation ceremonies, field trips, athletics, activity clubs, or other extracurricular activities or access to materials, technology, or other items provided to students due to an unpaid student meal balance.
V. COMMUNICATION OF POLICY
- This policy and any pertinent supporting information shall be provided in writing (i.e., mail, email, back-to-school packet, student handbook, etc.) to:
- all households at or before the start of each school year;
- students and families who transfer into the school district, at the time of enrollment; and
- all school district personnel who are responsible for enforcing this policy.
- The school district will post this policy on the school district’s website, or the website of the organization where the meal is served, in addition to providing the required written notification described above.
Source: Cambridge-Isanti Schools
Legal References:
- Minn. Stat. § 123B.37 (Prohibited Fees)
- Minn. Stat. § 124D.111 (School Meals Policies; Lunch Aid; Food Service Accounting)
- 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 SP 23-2017, Unpaid Meal Charges: Guidance and Q&A
Reviewed: 02-21-02, 02-22-11, 07-19-12, 02-23-17, 09-20-18, 01-19-23
Approved: 03-21-02, 03-20-10, 03-23-17, 10-11-18, 02-27-23
Policy Manual
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100 - School District
- 101 - Legal Status of the School District
- 101.1 - Name of the School District
- 101.2 - Naming of School District Sites and Facilities
- 101.2P - Memorials and Naming of School District Sites and Facilities
- 102 - Equal Education Opportunity
- 103 - Complaints - Students, Employees, Parents, Other Persons
- 104 - School District Mission Statement
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200 - School Board
- 201 - Legal Status of the School Board
- 202 - School Board Officers
- 203 - Operation of the School Board - Governing Rules
- 203.1 - School Board Procedures; Rules of Order
- 203.2 - Order of the Regular School Board Meeting
- 203.5 - School Board Meeting Agenda
- 203.6 - Consent Agendas
- 203.7 - School Board Compensation Policy
- 204 - School Board Meeting Minutes
- 205 - Open Meetings and Closed Meetings
- 206 - Public Participation in School Board Meetings
- 207 - Public Hearings
- 208 - Development, Adoption, and Implementation of Policies
- 209 - Code of Ethics
- 210 - Conflict of Interest - School Board Members
- 211 - Criminal or Civil Action Against School District, School Board Member, Employee, or Student
- 212 - School Board Member Development
- 213 - School Board Committees
- 214 - Out-of-State Travel By School Board Members
- 215 - Student Representative to the School Board
- 216 - School Board Recognition and Accomplishment
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400 - Employees/Personnel
- 401 - Equal Employment Opportunity
- 402 - Disability Nondiscrimination Policy
- 403 - Discipline, Suspension, and Dismissal of School District Employees
- 404 - Employment Background Checks
- 404P - Volunteer Background Check Procedure
- 405 - Veteran's Preference
- 406 - Public and Private Personnel Data
- 406F- Public and Private Personnel Data
- 407 - Employee Right to Know - Exposure to Hazardous Substances
- 408 - Subpoena of a School District Employee
- 409 - Employee Publications, Instructional Materials, Inventions and Creations
- 410 - Family and Medical Leave Policy
- 410F - Family and Medical Leave Form
- 412 - Expense Reimbursement
- 412F - Request for Mileage/Expense Reimbursement
- 413 - Harassment and Violence
- 413F - Harassment and Violence Form
- 414 - Mandated Reporting of Child Neglect or Physical or Sexual Abuse
- 414 Form - Student Maltreatment Reporting
- 415 - Mandated Reporting of Maltreatment of Vulnerable Adults
- 416 - Drug and Alcohol Testing
- 416 Form A - Drug and Alcohol Testing
- 416 Form B - Drug and Alcohol Testing
- 416 Form B1 - Drug and Alcohol Testing
- 416 Form C - Drug and Alcohol Testing
- 416 Form D - Drug and Alcohol Testing
- 416 Form E - Drug and Alcohol Testing
- 416 Form F - Drug and Alcohol Testing
- 416 Form G - Drug and Alcohol Testing
- 417 - Chemical Use and Abuse
- 418 - Drug-Free Workplace/Drug-Free School
- 418 Form - Drug-Free Workplace/Drug-Free School
- 419 - Tobacco-Free Environment; Possession and Use of Tobacco, Tobacco-Related Devices, and Electronic Delivery Devices
- 420 - Students and Employees with Sexually Transmitted Infections and Diseases and Certain Other Communicable Diseases and Infectious Conditions
- 420A - Human Sexuality and Aids Education
- 421 - Gifts to Employees and School Board Members
- 422 - Policies Incorporated by Reference - Employees
- 423 - Employee/Student Relationships
- 424 - License Status
- 425 - Professional Development and Mentoring
- 426 - Communications - Employer/Employee Relations
- 426R - Employer/Employee Relations
- 427 - Workload Limits for Certain Special Education Teachers
- 428 - Respectful Workplace
- 430 - Staff Leaves and Absences
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500 - Students
- 501 - School Weapons Policy
- 502 - Search of Student Lockers, Desks, Personal Possessions and Student's Person
- 503 - Student Attendance
- 504 - Student Dress and Appearance
- 505 - Distribution of Nonschool Sponsored Materials on School Premises by Students and Employees
- 505.1 - Distribution of Information for Political Campaigns and Activities
- 506 - Student Discipline
- 506F - Notice of Suspension
- 507 - Corporal Punishment
- 508 - Extended School Year for Certain Students with Individualized Education Programs
- 509 - Enrollment of Nonresident Students
- 509.1 - In-District Open Enrollment
- 509.1F - In-District Enrollment Request
- 509.2 - Entrance Age
- 509.2F - Elementary School Early Enrollment Application
- 509.2P - Early Entrance
- 509P - PROCEDURE Homeless Student Rights and Enrollment Practices
- 510 - School Activities
- 511 - Student Fundraising
- 512 - School-Sponsored Student Publications and Activities
- 513 - Student Promotion, Retention and Program Design
- 514 - Bullying Prohibition Policy
- 514F - Bullying Reporting Form
- 515 - Protection and Privacy of Pupil Records
- 515F - Notice of Special Education File Retention Policy
- 515P - Retention and Destruction of Student Records for Special Education Students
- 516 - Student Medication
- 516F - Administering Prescription Medications Form
- 517 - Student Recruiting
- 518 - DNR-DNI Orders
- 519 - Interviews of Students by Outside Agencies
- 520 - Student Surveys
- 521 - Student Disability Nondiscrimination
- 522 - Title IX Sex Nondiscrimination Policy, Grievance Procedure, and Process
- 523 - Policies Incorporated by Reference-Students
- 524 - Internet Acceptable Use and Safety Policy
- 524F - Internet Use Agreements
- 525 - Violence Prevention
- 526 - Hazing Prohibition
- 527 - Student Use and Parking of Motor Vehicles; Patrols, Inspections, and Searches
- 528 - Student Parental, Family, and Marital Status Nondiscrimination
- 529 - Staff Notification of Violent Behavior By Students
- 529F - Staff Notification of Violent Behavior By Students Form
- 530 - Immunization Requirements
- 531 - The Pledge of Allegiance
- 532 - Use of Peace Officers and Crisis Teams To Remove Students with IEPs From School Grounds
- 533 - Wellness
- 534 - School Meals
- 535 - Service Animals and Therapy Dogs in Schools
- 535F - Approval Request Form for Use of a Service Animal
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600 - Education Programs
- 601 - School District Curriculum and Instruction Goals
- 601.1 - New Teacher Mentor Program
- 601.3 - Student Teaching and Internship
- 602 - Organization of School Calendar and School Day
- 603 - Curriculum Development
- 604 - Instructional Curriculum
- 605 - Alternative Educational Programs
- 606 - Textbooks and Instructional Materials
- 606P - Guidelines for Selection of Media & Instructional Materials
- 607 - Organization of Grade Levels
- 608 - Instructional Services-Special Education
- 609 - Religion
- 610 - Field Trips
- 611 - Home Schooling
- 611.1 - Private, Parochial, and Home School Shared Services
- 612.1 - Development of Parent and Family Engagement Policies for Title I Programs
- 613 - Graduation Requirements
- 614 - School District Testing Plan and Procedure
- 615 - Testing, Accommodations, Modifications, and Exemptions for IEPS, Section 504 Accommodations, and LEP Students
- 616 - School District Systems Accountability
- 618 - Assessment of Standards Achievement
- 619 - Staff Development for Standards
- 620 - Credit of Learning
- 623 - Mandatory Summer School Instruction
- 624 - Online Learning Options
- 625 - Volunteer Policy
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700 - Non-Instructional Operations and Business Services
- 701 - Establishment and Adoption of School District Budget
- 701.1 - Modification of School District Budget
- 701.2 - Purchasing
- 701.2P - Purchasing Cell Phone
- 701.2P - Purchasing PCard
- 701.2P - Purchasing Purchase Order
- 702 - Accounting
- 703 - Annual Audit
- 704 - Development and Maintenance of an Inventory of Fixed Assets and a Fixed Asset Accounting System
- 705 - Investment of School Funds
- 706 - Acceptance of Gifts
- 707 - Transportation of Public School Students
- 708 - Transportation of Nonpublic School Students
- 709 - Student Transportation Safety Policy
- 709F - Attachment A
- 709F - Attachment B
- 709F - Attachment C
- 709R - Student Transportation Safety Policy Student Conduct-Bus Referral Procedures
- 710 - Extracurricular Transportation
- 711 - Video Recording on School Buses
- 712 - Video Surveillance Other Than on Buses
- 713 - Student Activity Accounting
- 714 - Fund Balances
- 720 - Sales of Food and Beverages
- 721 - Uniform Grant Guidance Policy Regarding Federal Reserve Sources
- 721P - Uniform Grant Guidance Procedures
- 722 - Public Data and Data Subject Requests
- 723 - Post Issuance Debt Compliance Policy
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800 - Building and Sites
- 801 - Equal Access to School Facilities
- 802 - Disposition of Obsolete Equipment and Material
- 805 - Waste Reduction and Recycling
- 806 - Crisis Management Policy
- 806F - Crisis Management Planning
- 807 - Health and Safety Policy
- 808 - Energy Policy
- 809 - Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (Drone) Policy
- 810 - Information Security Policy
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900 - School/Community Relations
- 901 - Community Education
- 902 - Use of School District Facilities and Equipment
- 902P - Use of School Facilities Procedure
- 903 - Visitors to School District Buildings and Sites
- 903.1 - Sales Calls and Demonstrations
- 904 - Distribution of Materials on School District Property by Nonschool Persons
- 905 - Advertising
- 906 - Community Notification of Predatory Offenders
- 907 - Rewards
- 908 - American Indian Committee
- 909 - Relations with Colleges and Universities
- 910 - Communications and Public Relations
- 911 - Tax Abatement