Policy Statement:

Lakeway Christian Schools (LCS) recognizes the convenience and efficiency of prepaid cafeteria accounts for students and parents. This policy outlines the guidelines and procedures for managing prepaid cafeteria accounts to ensure accurate record-keeping, financial transparency, and the efficient provision of school meals.

Objective:

Lakeway Christian Schools (LCS) is committed to maintaining a robust and transparent prepaid cafeteria account management system, ensuring that all students have access to nutritious meals while maintaining financial integrity and transparency with parents/guardians and employees.

Establishment and Management of Prepaid Cafeteria Accounts:

• Account Creation and Funding:
  • Parents/guardians and employees shall establish and maintain a prepaid cafeteria account for purchasing food and beverage items.
  • Parents/guardians are held responsible for all charges applied to their student’s account.
• Monitoring and Notifications:
  • Account holders can review transaction history and balances online.
  • A 'Negative Student Meal Balance' email will be sent once the prepaid account falls below $0.00, providing the account balance and instructions on adding funds to the account.

Addressing Negative Balances and Account Restrictions:

• Regular Assessment:
  • Nutrition Services and Finance Departments will periodically evaluate negative balance reports.
• Blocks on Family Account:
  • For negative balances reaching or exceeding $50.00, a block will be placed on the family account to prevent the charging of all à la carte items for a minimum of one week, while allowing charging for complete meals. Parents/guardians remain accountable for all charges.
  • For negative balances of $100.00 or more, an account block will restrict any charging until the balance is paid and will remain for at least one week. LCS reserves the right to deny meal services, and students may be restricted from participating in extracurricular activities and field trips during this time.

Enrolment, Participation, and Delinquency Handling:

• Reenrollment Criteria:
  • Prior academic year payments must be settled for reenrollment in the following school year.
• Obligations during Withdrawal or Transfer:
  • Parents/guardians are obligated to settle any outstanding balances during instances of student withdrawal, transfer, or expulsion. LCS may withhold report cards, records, and transcripts until full payment is made.

Free and Reduced-Price Meals Application and Management:

• Accessibility and Confidentiality:
  • Access to and assistance with applications for free and reduced-price meals will be widely available while ensuring confidentiality in managing the provided information.
• Utilization of Benefits:
  • Free or reduced-price benefits apply only to complete meals; à la carte prices will be charged when meals are nutritionally incomplete. Parents/guardians bear responsibility for all account charges.

Communication, Transparency, and Authorization:

• Engaging Stakeholders:
  • Transparent and regular communication will be maintained with parents/guardians about account statuses, policy modifications, and any other pertinent information.
• Acknowledgment of Policy:
  • Parents/guardians will confirm their understanding and agreement with this policy through signature acknowledgment on official school documents.

Policy Review and Amendments:

LCS will periodically review and, if necessary, revise this policy to ensure it remains relevant and adheres to best practices and the needs of the LCS community.