MSD of New Durham Township
Meal Charging Policy
It is the responsibility of parent/guardian to keep a positive meal balance in their student(s) account or to pack a lunch from home for their student(s). The Food Service Department is self-supporting, which means that no monies from the district’s budget help to operate the Food Service Department. Payments must be made promptly to ensure that the department can continue to operate in a fiscally responsible manner.
In accordance with School Board policy, the Superintendent requires the district food service personnel to comply with National School Lunch Program standards and establishes these procedures to govern meal charge accounts.
CHARGE GUIDELINES AND PRECEDURES:
Cafeteria purchases shall be prepaid into individual food service accounts before meal service begins or paid as they receive meals. Prepayments into individual food service accounts may be made by prepaying with one of the following methods:
- online service with mymealtime.com
- check, made out to MSD of New Durham Township
- cash
Check or cash received by the School should be in an envelope and marked with the student name and lunch fund.
The only deductions made from prepaid accounts will be for the purchase of meals or other allowable food purchases in the cafeteria. In accordance with School Board policy, a student may charge for meals if his/her account has an insufficient balance to cover the charge; however, meal charges are strongly discouraged.
Cashiers make every effort to notify students of low or negative balances at the register. Notification slips may be sent home with students. Staff members and adult community residents shall not be permitted to charge meals. A student whose account has a negative balance may not charge or purchase “à la carte” items, including extra main course entrées. The Director of Food Service or other school personnel will coordinate communications with the parent(s)/guardian(s) to resolve the matter of unpaid charges by phone calls, emails, automated messages, or the US Postal Service.
All accounts must be settled by June 5th each year. Final notification letters will be sent home approximately 10 days before the last day of school to students who have a negative balance. Negative balances not paid in full will force the Corporation to take the following action to collect the unpaid funds:
- Referral to collection agency
- Referral to small claims court
- IRS tax return garnishment
- Any other legal methods deemed necessary by the Corporation
INACTIVE AND GRADUATE STUDENTS:
If a student withdraws or graduates from the Corporation and has a positive balance of less than $5.00 the balance may be receipted into the school lunch fund after 30 days. Students are encouraged to use all of the funds in their account before leaving the Corporation. Parents can also request the balance of funds get transferred to a sibling or other student of their choice. If a student withdraws or graduates with a positive balance greater than $5.00 parents shall be notified by mail and given the option of receiving a refund, transferring the funds to another student account, or donating the balance to Donation Fund. Unclaimed remaining balances will be transferred to the Donation Fund for uncollectable negative balances after 30 days.
FREE/REDUCED APPLICATIONS:
We strongly encourage all families to complete a Free/Reduced Meal application online at the district website www.westville.k12.in.us. Click on Family Resources and Mealtime payments or contact the Food Service Office at 219-785-2531 ext. 6057. If approved for free or reduced meals, the parent is still responsible for any debt incurred prior to approval.