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Duneland board approves $39,683.84 reimbursement to cover unpaid student meal charges
Summary
The Duneland School Corporation board voted Aug. 11 to reimburse $39,683.84 in unpaid student meal balances from the operations fund so the district remains compliant with National School Lunch Program rules; board members discussed COVID-era effects and outreach to increase direct certification.
The Duneland School Corporation Board of Trustees voted Aug. 11 to reimburse $39,683.84 in unpaid student meal account balances from the operations fund so the district complies with federal National School Lunch Program cost-principle requirements.
A staff member told the board that ‘‘Unpaid charges totaled $39,683.84 after all payments and donations were applied to outstanding negative balances,’’ and recommended the operations fund cover remaining negative student meal account balances so the corporation can continue federal meal service. The staff member said policy 8500 requires students without funds be provided a regular meal and described the district’s monitoring and parent-notification practices.
Board discussion focused on whether the level of unpaid charges was typical. A board member asked about historical figures; the staff member said last year’s charges were ‘‘about $43,000’’ and attributed part of the change to the end of universal free meals during the COVID-era. The staff member said the district will pursue increased direct certification and encourage eligible families to complete paper applications.
A board member moved to approve reimbursing the 2024–25 negative meal account balances from the operations fund; the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote.
The board’s action directs the operations fund to reimburse the specified unpaid meal balances for fiscal year 2024–25. The staff member emphasized the reimbursement is intended to keep the district in compliance with USDA/National School Lunch Program regulations and to preserve meal service for students who rely on it.
No further fiscal details or roll-call vote counts were recorded in the meeting transcript. The board proceeded to consider several policy revisions and other agenda items following the vote.
