The School Board shall provide cafeteria or serving facilities in all schools and will provide food service for the purchase and consumption of school meals for all students.

Meals sold by the school may be purchased by students and staff members and community residents in accordance with the procedures established by the Superintendent.

The operation and supervision of the food-service program shall be the responsibility of the Director of Food Services. Food services shall be operated on a self-supporting basis with revenue from students, staff, Federal reimbursement, and commodity product. The Board shall assist the program by furnishing available space, utilities, initial major equipment, and utensils. The Board may budget funds to be used for equipment purchases, maintenance, and repairs.

A periodic review of the food-service accounts shall be made by the Director of Food Service. Any surplus funds from the Child Nutrition Program, ala carte, and catering profits shall be used to improve the food service program.

No foods or beverages, other than those associated with the Corporation's food-service program, are to be sold during food-service hours.

The Superintendent shall ensure a wholesome, nutritious food-service program in the schools of the Corporation and one which reinforces the concepts taught in the classrooms.

The School Board recognizes the importance of good nutrition to each student's educational performance. The School Board further recognizes that students who eat breakfast are more prepared to learn. School meals shall be promoted and participation is encouraged.

The Board shall provide needy children with meals at a reduced rate or at no charge to the student. It shall also provide breakfast in accordance with provisions in I.C. 20-26-9-1 et seq.

Children, eligible for free or reduced-price meals, shall be determined by the criteria established by the USDA Food and Nutrition Service.

The Board designates the Director of Food Services to determine the eligibility of students for free and reduced-price meals in accordance with the criteria issued annually by the Federal government through the State Department of Education.

The schools shall annually notify all families of the availability, eligibility requirements, and application procedure for free and reduced-price meals by providing access to free and reduced applications on the District website to be filled out online or print as a hard copy to be filled in and returned and shall seek out and apply for such Federal, State, and local funds as may be applied to the Child Nutrition Program.

It is the responsibility of the parent/guardian to provide the means for their child to be properly fed and ready to learn. This involves either providing money for their child or children to purchase school meals, completing Free/Reduced meal applications each year to determine and/or renew eligibility for free or reduced price meals, or sending a meal from home.

PARENTS/GUARDIANS OF STUDENTS  WHO DO NOT QUALIFY FOR FREE MEALS ARE EXPECTED TO PREPAY FOR MEALS USING THE ONLINE PAYMENT SYSTEM, SEND CASH OR CHECKS TO SCHOOL, OR PAY FOR THE SCHOOL MEALS AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE.  The school food service staff will contact parents or guardians by note, e-mail, telephone call or letter when their child’s account goes into the negative. When a student’s account becomes negative, or a student has forgotten their lunch money, meal charging will be permitted as follows:

Elementary and Middle school students (PreK-8) will be allowed to charge up to fifty dollars ($50). While a student’s meal account has a negative balance, no charges will be allowed for a la carte items. The parent/guardian of students having a negative balance will be contacted by the food service staff to arrange payment. If payment is not received for the charged meals prior to the next breakfast or lunchtime, students will be discreetly offered a predetermined meal from the daily menu. The predetermined meal will be charged to the student’s meal account at the paying rate.

High School students (9-12) will be allowed to charge up to fifty dollars ($50).  While a student’s meal account has a negative balance, no charges will be allowed for a la carte items. The parent/guardian of students having a negative balance will be contacted by the food service staff to arrange payment. If payment is not received for the charged meals prior to the next breakfast or lunchtime, students will not be permitted to charge additional meals without payment at the time of purchase.

Reduced status students are eligible to receive a breakfast for thirty cents ($.30) and lunch for forty cents ($.40) each day. If the student’s account becomes negative, or a student has forgotten their lunch money, meal charging will follow the same rules as the full pay students (see information above).

Free status students are allowed to receive a free breakfast and lunch each day.

Direct certified students are allowed to receive a free breakfast and lunch each day. A la carte items MUST be paid from the prepaid account or paid at the time of purchase.  Direct certified students will be identified every month based on information from the SNAP (Food Stamp Office) or TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) and they are not required to fill out an application. Parents are responsible to inform the food service office if other students in the household also qualify for free meals. Parents have the right to refuse these benefits.

A la carte items MUST be paid from the prepaid account or paid at the time of purchase.

Staff may purchase meals from their prepaid account or at the time of purchase.  Adults may not charge for a meal nor ala carte items sold in the cafeteria at anytime.

Guest must pay for their meals and ala carte items at the rate established by the district.   They may not use funds from a student’s meal account or charge to a student’s meal account.

Itemized meal statements are available online at www.perryschools.org.

Students with negative balances will be contacted by the Food Service Department either through a low balance letter, e-mail, text or phone call to the household.  If a student is without meal money on a consistent basis, the administration will investigate the situation more closely and take further action as needed. If financial hardship exists, parents and families are encouraged to apply for free or reduced price meals for their child.

At the end of the school year, any negative balances for more than fifty dollars ($50) will be considered delinquent debt and sent to a professional collection agency. The delinquent debt stays with the student’s account until paid. Graduating seniors must pay all debt in full. Failure to do so may result in not being allowed to participate in the graduation ceremonies.

For withdrawn and graduating students, a written request for a refund of any money remaining in their account must be submitted within thirty (30) days of becoming inactive. An e-mail request is also acceptable. Students who are graduating at the end of the year will be given the option to transfer to a sibling’s account with a written request.

Any unclaimed meal funds will become the property of Perry Township Schools Food Service Program and placed in a non-federal donation account.

The Superintendent shall establish whatever administrative guidelines necessary to ensure the program is conducted in accordance with guidelines established by the Indiana Department of Education.

I.C. 20-26-5-4, 20-26-9-1 et seq.
511 I.A.C. 4-3-2, 6-2-1(b)(9)
7 C.F.R. 210, 215, 220, 240

Revised 11/14/11
Revised 6/9/14
Revised 6/13/16
Revised 6/12/17