Revised 5-5-22

In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.

Program information may be made available in languages other than English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language), should contact the responsible state or local agency that administers the program or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.

To file a program discrimination complaint, a Complainant should complete a Form AD-3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form which can be obtained online at: https://www.usda.gov/oascr/how-to-file-a-program-discrimination-complaint, from any USDA office, by calling (866) 632-9992, or by writing a letter addressed to USDA. The letter must contain the complainant’s name, address, telephone number, and a written description of the alleged discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) about the nature and date of an alleged civil rights violation. The completed AD-3027 form or letter must be submitted to USDA by:

1. Mail:
   U.S. Department of Agriculture
   Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
   1400 Independence Avenue, SW
   Washington, DC 20250-9410; or
2. Fax:
   (833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442; or
3. Email:
   program.intake@usda.gov

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

Declaración de no discriminación del Departmamento de Agricultura (USDA)

Policy 710.04: Meal Charges
Status: ADOPTED

In accordance with state and federal law, the Vinton-Shellsburg 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 have use of a meal account. When the balance reaches $0.00 a student may charge no more than 3 meals to this account. When an account reaches this limit, a student will not be allowed to charge further meals or a la carte items until the negative account balance is paid.  Parents may add dollars using our electronic payment options or having money paid at the school offices.
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 will be allowed to purchase a meal if the student pays for the meal when it is received. 
Employees may use a charge account for meals but may not charge to this account. When an account reaches a negative balance of -$5.00, an employee will not be allowed to charge further meals or a la carte items until there is money in the account.

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 families to resolve the matter of unpaid charges. Families will be notified of an outstanding negative balance once the negative balance reaches $55. Families will be notified by phone, email and or letter.  Negative balances of more than $55, not paid prior to third day of the following month 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
The district with 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 the law. Funds shall be used only to pay individual student meal debt.

Communication of the Policy 
The policy and supporting information regarding meal charges will be provided in writing or electronically 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 process to implement this policy. 

U.S.C – United States Code
42 U.S.C. §§ 1751
Description Public Health – School Lunch Program

I.C. Iowa Code
Iowa Code § 283A
Description School Meal Programs 

I.A.C. Iowa Administrative Code
281 I.A.C. 58
Description Education – Breakfast and Lunch Program 

Cross References

Code
710.01
School Food Program 

710.01-R(1)
School Food Program – School Nutrition Program Civil Rights Complaints Procedure

710.01-E(1)
School Food Program – School Nutrition Program Notices of Nondiscrimination

710.01-E(2)
School Food Program – Child Nutrition Programs Civil Rights Complaint Form

710.02
Free or Reduced Cost Meals Eligibility

710.03
Vending Machines