Series 3000: Business/Non-Instructional Operations

3542.43 Charging Policy

The goal of the food service program is to provide students with nutritious foods that will enhance learning. The school nutrition program is an essential part of the education system and by providing good-tasting, nutritious meals in pleasant surroundings; we are helping to teach students the value of good nutrition.

The Thomaston Board of Education has an agreement with the Connecticut State Department of Education (CSDE) to participate in one or more school Child Nutrition Programs and accepts full responsibility for adhering to the federal and state guidelines and regulations pertaining to these school Child Nutrition Programs. Meals are planned to meet the specified nutrient standards outlined by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) for children based on their age or grade group. 

Thomaston Public Schools and the Thomaston Board of Education has a system in place where a child can charge a meal to their meal accounts. No child will be prohibited from receiving a full meal or publicly identified for having to charge the meal. A child will never receive an alternate meal in place of a menu meal or have any disciplinary action taken if their negative balance becomes high. Negative balances will be communicated with parents/guardians with a weekly-automated letter through our point of sale system. This letter contains information to local food pantries, local community services, information on SNAP, and information regarding the free and reduced meal application. Follow up phone calls will be made when necessary. If the unpaid charges due are equal to or more than the cost of thirty meals, such parent/guardian shall be referred to Thomaston Public School’s Homeless Liaison.

The Thomaston Board of Education realizes that funds from the non-profit school food service account, according to federal regulations, cannot be used to cover the cost of charged meals that have not been paid. The Board is responsible for covering any negative balances at the end of the school year.

Thomaston Public Schools may accept gifts, donations, or grants from any public or private source for the purpose of paying off any unpaid charges for school meals.

Moreover, federal funds are intended to subsidize the meals of children and may not be used to subsidize meals for adults (teachers, staff and visitors). Adults are not allowed to charge meals and shall pay for such meals at the time of service or through pre-paid accounts.

Parents are responsible for providing meals or meal money for their student(s). Repayment is expected without delay. If a child has, a negative balance on their account snacks and other a la carte purchases will not be allowed.

                                                                                                                                                  3542.43(b)

This policy shall be included in student/parent handbooks, placed on the Thomaston Public School’s website, on the website of each school, and published at the beginning of each school year at the time information is distributed regarding free and reduced price meals.

(cf. 3542 – Food Service)

(cf. 3542.31 – Free or Reduced Price Lunch Program)

Legal Reference:     Connecticut General Statutes

                                 10-215 Lunches, breakfasts and other feeding programs for public school children and employees.

                                 10-215a Nonpublic school and nonprofit agency participation in feeding programs.

                                 10-215b Duties of State Board of Education re feeding programs.

                                 State Board of Education Regulations Operational Memorandum #19-10,

                                 State of Connecticut, Bureau of Health/Nutrition, Family Services and Adult Education

                                 “Unallowable Charges to No-profit School Food Service Accounts and the

                                 Serving of Meals to No-paying Full and Reduced Price Students”

                                 National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program; Competitive Foods.

                                 (7 CFR Parts 210 and 220, Federal Register, Vol 45 No. 20, Tuesday, January 29, 1980, pp 6758-6772.

Policy Updated:   April 17, 2023   THOMASTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS Thomaston, Connecticut