NCSD Board discusses meal charging policy

The Newton Community School District Board of Education was particularly busy Monday because its previous meeting was canceled and board members went about a month between gatherings.

The board dug into a lengthy discussion on developing a meal charging policy for dealing with past-due lunch accounts. The federal government is requiring that school districts implement a formal policy by July 1.

According to the United States Department of Agriculture, the purpose of the memorandum is to “address the need for school food authorities participating in the Food and Nutrition Service National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program to institute and clearly communicate a meal charge policy, which would include, if applicable, the availability of alternate meals.”

NCSD did not make any final decisions on Monday, but board members, along with Food Service Supervisor Cristy Croson, mulled over the different options.

Newton’s current policy, which is informal, is to send a letter to households after their lunch account balances become negative $20. An automated email is sent out when only $10 remain on an account. When the past due amount gets over $100, Croson said, the district will call the parents to make sure they’re aware.

Croson said the district is having trouble collecting from approximately 50 accounts that have negative balances more than $200. Newton students with such accounts are still being fed.

Director of Business Services Gayle Isaac said policies are different and wide-ranging all over Iowa.

“There are some districts that are very harsh on their policy — $10, $20 charge — the children are cut off,” Isaac said. “They are not served a meal.”

Newton’s school board, which was short three members who were absent Monday, seemed to agree the kids should continue to get food regardless of their account balances. Insufficient nutrition will impact academic performance, said Board Vice President Robyn Friedman.

The board is looking at trying to stay close to its current policy, while also fitting within the federal guidelines. The district must also decide on whether or not it wants to start giving out alternate meals to students with negative accounts.

“Some of the things we need to think about when we take this action is how are we going to notify the kids before they come down for lunch, and how are we going to give them an alternate meal that’s not identifying them,” Croson said.

Most of the families that owe money for school meals qualify for free and reduced lunch. In some cases however, they neglect to fill out their paperwork, despite reminders from the district. Eventually they qualify, Croson said, but not until after they rack up a debt.

The district is working hard with those families using donated funds to help out, Croson said.

In other business, the board certified the class of 2017 for both Newton High School and WEST Academy. In addition, public hearings for a budget amendment and the new Berg Middle School were set for May 22 at 6:40 p.m. and 6:45 p.m., respectively.

The board also approved the non-renewal of the Gateway to College program with DMACC. The intention of the program was to help young people who dropped out of high school return to education and gain a high school diploma while also earning college credit. The program looked good on paper, said NHS Principal Bill Peters, but the results were not great.

Contact Justin Jagler at 641-792-3121 ext 6532 or jjagler@newtondailynews.com