SOUTHWEST SCHOOL CORPORATION BREAKFAST AND LUNCH CHARGING POLICIES  

Procedure for Student Lunch/Meal Accounts

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) requires school food authorities to establish written administrative guidelines and procedures for meal charges. Southwest School Corporation will adhere to the following meal charge procedure.

All cafeteria purchases are to be prepaid before meal service begins. Payments can be made by check or cash at the school building or on-line credit card payments on Harmony system.

A student may charge up to 5 meals maximum (total – breakfast or lunch) as long as they establish and maintain a good credit history of making payments on their food service accounts.

A staff member may not charge any meals at the corporation. 

A student who has charged a meal may not charge or purchase "a la carte" item(s), including extra main entrees.

If a student repeatedly comes to school with no lunch and no money, food service employees must report this to the building principal as this may be a sign of abuse or neglect and the proper authorities should be contacted.

Schools may deny a meal to a student who pays reduced or full price and who does not provide the required payment for that meal. However if the student who pays reduced or full price has enough money in hand for a meal that day, they will not be denied a meal.

The school building principal or designee will coordinate communications with the parent(s)/guardian(s) to resolve the matter of unpaid charges.

If food services staff suspects that a student may be abusing this policy, written notice will be provided to the parent(s)/guardian(s) that if he/she continues to abuse this policy, the privilege of charging meals will be refused.

The automated call system will notify parents every week of any outstanding negative balance in the student’s lunch/meal account. The school personnel will also send home letters each week to parents of students who carry negative balances of $5 and above.

All accounts must be settled at the end of current school year. Letters will be sent home approximately 30 days before the end of the current school year to students who have any negative balances. Negative balances of more than $20 not paid in full 30 days prior to the end of current school year will force the Corporation to take action to collect unpaid funds by means of collection agencies, small claims court, or any other legal method deemed necessary by the Corporation.

Students who graduate or withdraw from the corporation and have $20 or more left in their lunch/meal food service account will be notified by mail by food services at the end of current school year and given the option to transfer the funds to another student or to receive a refund. Students who graduate or withdraw from the corporation and have less than $20 will not receive a direct notification by mail, but the household can contact Superintendent’s Office at 812-268-6311 to receive a refund. If no response is received within 30 days the student’s lunch/meal account will close and the funds will no longer available. Unclaimed remaining balances will be transferred to School Lunch fund.

Approved 7/17/19