Meal Charges - Code No. 710.4 - Policy

Sep 19, 2026

Policy establishes shared expectations for meal charges within George-Little Rock Community School District, aligning with state and federal law. Defines meal account use for students and employees, maximum charge limits, and rules for negative balances. Guarantees reimbursable meals for students eligible for free meals and details how outstanding meal charge debt is communicated and collected, including possible legal actions. Specifies an unpaid student meals account, donation handling, limited assistance via a fund assistance form, and policy communication and record-retention requirements.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryLetters

FormatPDF

Pages4

Reading Time2 min

AccessFree to download

Payment of Meals

Negative Account Balances

Unpaid Student Meals Account

Donations and Assistance

Communication of the Policy

NONINSTRUCTIONAL OPERATIONS AND BUSINESS SERVICES Series 700 Policy Title Meal Charges Code No. 710.4 Page 1 of 2 In accordance with state and federal law, the George-Little Rock 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. Payment of Meals Students and staff have the use of a meal account. They may deposit money into their school meal account daily, weekly, monthly or by semester. All students and staff are assigned an account number. The student or staff member will key in their personal account number on a keypad and a school employee will monitor the computer to assure that the correct account is charged. When the balance reaches zero, a student may charge no more than $37.50 to this account. When an account reaches this limit, a student shall not be allowed to charge further meals or a la carte items until the negative balance is paid. Accounts with any negative balances, will not be allowed any second or extra options. 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. 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 charge on their account for meals but may charge no more than $35.00 to this account. When an account reaches this limit, an employee shall not be allowed to charge further meals or a lacarte items until the negative balance is paid. Family meal account balances will be refunded after last child graduates. Account balances of $3.00 or less will be transferred to the unpaid student meal account unless family requests actual refund. 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 the JMC automated e-mail and calling system. Negative balances of more than $37.50, will be turned over to the superintendent or superintendent’s designee for collection. A formal letter will be sent at this time along with an application for free and reduced meals. If not resolved with the letter, a meeting with the parent will be scheduled and a resolution will be determined and if no resolution is made, other options may include: collection agencies, small claims court, or any other legal method permitted by law to collect the unpaid debt. Code No. 710.4 Page 2 of 2 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. The George-Little Rock Community School District accepts donations for negative meal accounts. If an individual or organization wishes to make payment for nega

FAQs

How do students and staff pay for meals using meal accounts?

Students and staff use meal accounts and deposit money daily, weekly, monthly, or by semester. Account numbers are keyed in on a keypad, and staff monitor the computer to ensure the correct account is charged.

What happens when a student’s meal account balance reaches zero or becomes negative?

When a student’s balance reaches zero, the student may charge up to $37.50. After reaching the limit, the student cannot charge further meals or a la carte items until the negative balance is paid.

How does the district handle delinquent meal charge debt and communications with families?

The district makes reasonable efforts to notify families when balances are low and coordinates communications with the student’s parent or guardian. Parents or guardians are notified of an outstanding negative balance once the student owes five meals or more, and balances over $37.50 may be turned over for collection, with letters, meetings, and potential legal options if unresolved.

Sep 19, 2026

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