Food Service Lunch Balances Policy

When a student or staff member graduates or leaves Leland Public School, for any reason, with
a balance in their lunch account, negative or positive, the Food Service Director or the Registrar
will reach out to the student’s parents/legal guardian or the staff member to inform them.

If the student has a negative balance and owes the food service department, they will not have
their records transferred to another school until the debt is paid off. If a staff member has a
negative balance, their final paycheck will be held until the debt is paid off.

If the student or staff member has a positive balance in their lunch account, the Food Service
Director will reach out to the Business Manager to issue the persons a refund check if the
balance is over $25. If the balance is under $25, the Food Service Director will attempt to
contact the student’s parents/legal guardian, or the staff member, and inquire if a rebate check
is desired or if they would like to donate the funds to the Angel Account to be used on students
who need financial assistance with meals. If it has been over 30 days and the Food Service
Director has not heard back from the students’ parents/legal guardian, or the staff member, the
money will automatically be transferred to the Angel Account.
 

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: USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, 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, D.C. 20250-9410; or

2. fax:
   (833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442; or

3. email:
   Program.Intake@usda.gov

USDA Policy Memorandum SP 46-2016 requires all School Food Authorities (SFAs) operating federal school meal programs to have a written and clearly communicated policy. Below is our current policy.

The National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs provide children with nutritious meals during the school day.  Leland Public School’s goal is to allow children to receive the nutrition they need to stay focused during the school day, minimize identification of children with insufficient funds to pay for school meals, and maintain the financial integrity of the nonprofit school food service account.

Leland Public School encourages all parents and guardians to apply for Free/Reduced meals at MealMagic Family Portal or by filling out a paper Education and Nutrition Benefits Application (paper applications available in the main entrance/office of the school, or by request at any time). 

Families who qualify for reduced priced or full pay meals are encouraged to pre-pay for student meals. You can do this with NO ASSOCIATED FEES by sending cash or check directly to the office or cafeteria. Payments made by card can be made at MealMagic Family Portal, this platform does charge a service fee for each deposit. **Update to School Year 2024/2025: Leland Public School is excited to offer FREE Breakfast & Lunch to ALL students this year thanks to the Michigan Healthy Meals Program!**

When balances are owed and accounts are delinquent, letters will be mailed home as a reminder.  If payment is still not received after two weeks, the Food Service Director will make phone calls to parents/guardians reminding them of the debts and attempting to come up with a plan for payment(s). After an additional week, If payments have still not been paid, the Principal will call parents/guardians. If attempts have still not been made to offset the debt, the Superintendent will call parents/ guardians. If a student is attempting to transfer to another school, records will not be released until meal debt is paid off. 

Leland Public School will never deny a student a meal who is unable to pay. No student with a negative balance will:

* be forced to wear a wristband or have their hand stamped
* be forced to perform chores or other work to pay for school meals
* be forced to dispose of their meal because of inability to pay
* be directly communicated with about their negative balance unless the student’s parents or legal guardian cannot be reached
* If a parent or legal guardian cannot be reached: negative balances will not be discussed in front of a student in the presence of other students. 

If a student does not have adequate funds, and has not been approved for free or reduced meals, the student will be provided with the same full balanced/reimbursable meal that is advertised on the menu for that day. Students who do not have adequate funds will not be allowed to charge for ala cart items or extras.

• Meal Benefits Application