AUXILIARY SERVICES
Series 700
Policy Title: School Food Program Code No. 710.1
The District will operate a school lunch and breakfast program in each attendance center. The Food Service program will include hot lunches and breakfasts through participation in the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program. Students may bring their lunches from home and purchase milk or juice and other incidental items.
School food service facilities are provided to serve students and employees when school is in session and during school-related activities. They may also be used under the supervision of the principal for food service to employee groups, parent-teacher meetings, civic organizations meeting for the purpose of better understanding the schools, and senior citizens in accordance with Board policy.
The Food Service program is operated on a nonprofit basis. The revenues of the program will be used only for paying the regular operating costs of the program. Supplies of the program will only be used for Food Service.
The Board will set, and periodically review, the prices for school lunch, breakfast, and special milk. It is the responsibility of the Superintendent to make a recommendation regarding such prices.
It is the responsibility of Director of Food Service to administer the program and to cooperate with the superintendent for the proper functioning of the Food Service program.
Approved: December 16, 2003
Reviewed: March 9, 2021
Revised: April 14, 2009
Legal Reference: 42 U.S.C. §§ 1751 et seq. (2010); 7 C.F.R. Pt. 210 et seq. (2010); Iowa Code §§ 283A (2013); 281 I.A.C. 58.8
Cross Reference: 710 School Food Services; 905 Use of School District Facilities and Equipment
AUXILIARY SERVICES
Series 700
Policy Title: Free or Reduced Cost Meals Eligibility Code No. 710.2
Students enrolled and attending school in the school district who meet USDA eligibility guidelines will be provided the school nutrition program services at no cost or at a reduced price. The school district shall make reasonable efforts to prevent the overt identification of students who are eligible for free and reduced price meals.
The district shall at least twice annually notify all families of the availability, eligibility criteria, and application procedures for free or reduced price meals in accordance with state and federal law.
It is the responsibility of the Director of Food Service to determine the eligibility of students for free or reduced price school nutrition programs, in accordance with criteria established by state and federal law. If school personnel have knowledge of a student who is in need of free or reduced-price meals, school personnel shall contact the Director of Food Service.
If a student owes money for meals, the Director of Food Service (or their designee) may contact the student’s parent or guardian to provide information regarding the application for free or reduced price meals and to collect debt. The school is encouraged to provide reimbursable meals to students who request reimbursable meals unless the students’ parent or guardian has specifically provided written direction to the school to withhold a meal from the student.
Employees will be required to pay for meals consumed.
Approved: December 16, 2003
Reviewed: January 12, 2016
Revised: March 9, 2021
Legal Reference: 42 U.S.C. §§ 1751 et seq (2012); 7 C.F.R. Pt. 210 et seq (2012); Iowa Code 283A (2013); 281 I.A.C. 58
Cross Reference: 710 School Food Services
AUXILIARY SERVICES
Series 700
Policy Title: Vending Machines Code No. 710.3
Food served or purchased by students during the school day and food served or purchased for other than special circumstances is approved by the Superintendent. Vending machines in the school building are the responsibility of the building principal. Purchases from the vending machines, other than juice machines, will not be made during the lunch periods.
It is the responsibility of the Superintendent to develop administrative regulations for the use of vending machines and other sales of food to students.
Approved: December 16, 2003
Reviewed: March 9, 2021
Revised:
Legal Reference: 42 U.S.C. §§ 1751 et seq (2012); 7 C.F.R. Pt. 210 et seq (2012); Iowa Code 283A (2013); 281 I.A.C. 58
Cross Reference: 504.5 Student Fund Raising; 710 School Food Services
AUXILIARY
SERIES 700
Policy Title: Meal Charges Code: 710.4
In accordance with state and federal law, the Oskaloosa Community School District 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.
Students who qualify for free meals shall never be denied a reimbursable meal, even if they have accrued a negative balance from previous purchases. Schools are encouraged to provide a reimbursable meal to students with outstanding meal charge debt. If an alternate meal is provided, the meal must be the same meal presented in the same manner to any student requesting an alternate meal.
Employees may use a charge account for meals, but must carry a positive balance at all times in this account. When an account reaches zero, an employee shall not be allowed to charge further meals or a la 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 the student’s parent or guardian to resolve the matter of unpaid charges. Parents or guardians will be notified of an outstanding negative balance once the student owes five meals or more. Parents or guardians will be notified by letters, emails, and/or phone calls. Negative balances of more than $50.00, not paid prior to the end of the school year will be turned over to the superintendent or superintendent’s designee for collection. Options may include: collection agencies, small claims court, or any other legal method permitted by law.
Unpaid Student Meals Account
The district will establish an unpaid student meals account in a school nutrition fund. Funds from private sources and funds from the district flexibility account may be deposited into the unpaid school meals account in accordance with law. Funds deposited into this account shall be used only to pay individual student meal debt.
Communication of the Policy
The policy and supporting information regarding meal charges shall be provided in writing to:
All households at or before the start of each school year;
Students and families who transfer into the district, at time of transfer; and
All staff responsible for enforcing any aspect of the policy.
Records of how and when the policy and supporting information was communicated to households and staff will be retained.
It is the responsibility of the superintendent to develop an administrative regulation for implementing this policy.
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).