East Greenbush Central School District updated its policy this summer for charging of school meals by students who forget to bring meal money or do not have enough funds in their accounts. As in the past, students may “charge” the cost of a regular reimbursable meal (what is on the menu excluding extras, a la carte items and snacks), up to three times, to be paid back at a later date.
The policy updates include more guidance for the Food Services Department to periodically review account balances, to discreetly notify parents of students who regularly have negative balances and to offer repayment plans to parents until the unpaid charges have been paid.
This policy is in place to ensure that students do not go hungry, but also to promote responsible student behavior and minimize the fiscal burden to the district.
“The East Greenbush Food Service Department works diligently with parents to assist them in providing healthy food choices at a reasonable cost,” said Food Services Manager Phyllis Sanford-Krug. “Working together, we can reduce any fiscal burden to the program.”