The Madison Central School Board’s policy regarding meal accounts effective for the2011-2012 school year is as follows:
1. The cafeteria computer will give the cashier a “low balance” warning whenever an account is below $15.00.
For example, all students in a family of three (3) would begin receiving warnings from the cashier when the family balance is below $15.00. When the cashier issues the warning, the balance before purchases is displayed on the computer screen.
2. Account statements are mailed or emailed to all families with students who have a balance of $15.00 or below in their lunch account. Account statements for all students with a $0 balance or below are mailed daily. Parents and/or students can also check their account balance by calling the Food Service Office at (605) 256-7730 or on-line at www.wordwareinc.com.
3. The policy will be enforced in theHigh School and Middle Schoolas follows when the cashier receives the “low balance” message:
Day 1
Students are told the account balance is low and they need to bring money.
Day 2
Students are told the account balance is low and they need to bring money.
Day 3
If the student does not bring money and the cashier still gets the “low balance” message; averbal reminder will be given to the student. They will not be able to purchase a meal or a la carte items on their account if the balance is too low. Balances cannot go below $0. Students with an account balance that is too low to make a purchase will be offered an “alternative meal”
(see below).4. The policy will be enforced in the Elementary Schools as follows when the cashier receives the ”low balance” message:
Day 1
Students are told the account balance is low and they need to bring money. The student’s classroom teacher is given a written reminder to be sent home to the parents.
Day 2
If the student does not bring money and the cashier still gets the “low balance” message; students are told the account balance is low and they need to bring money. The student’s classroom teacher is given a written reminder to be sent home to the parents.
Day 3
If the student does not bring money and the cashier still gets the “low balance” message; students are told the account balance is low and they need to bring money. The student’s classroom teacher is given a written reminder to be sent home to the parents. The student will not be able to purchase a meal on the account if the balance is too low. Balances cannot gobelow $0. Students with an account balance that is too low to make a purchase will be offered an “alternative meal” (see below). Elementary School parents should check their student’s back pack for lunch account written reminders.
When the account is closed, students will be offered
a complimentary alternative meal of a peanut butter
sandwich and milk. Students with a $0 balance or below
cannot eat a regular meal until their parents put money
into their meal account. Students may receive the alternative meal a maximum of five (5) times during the school year.
After two insufficient fund checks have been written from the same checking account, only cash, a cashier’scheck, or money order will be accepted for future meal account deposits.
After thirty (30) days of a negative balance, collection
on procedures may be initiated on all negative balance accounts, starting with a letter to the responsible party. After it is judged that the usual methods to collect the money owed the district have failed, then action may be taken to collect in small claims court. Families not eligible for free meals will have their account closed until an adequate deposit is made.
All communication regarding low balances in the family ac
count will come from the food service office at (605) 256-7730.