Meal Charge Guidelines

Meal Account Balance and Charge Procedures

Oregon HB 3454 was signed into law on August 8, 2017. This law outlines practices and communication not to be allowed in Oregon school cafeterias. The law is intended to remove practices or communication deemed as “shaming” to students regarding the collection of funds for school meals or the identification of balances for unpaid meals.

Key provisions of the bill are that districts or schools may not:

1. Publicly identify a student who is unable to pay for a meal or owes money.
2. Communicate to students about monies owed.
3. Serve an alternate meal to a student who is unable to pay.
4. Assess fees related to collection agencies to parents or guardians.

The bill further provides the district or schools shall:

1. Communicate only with parents or guardians about unpaid balances
2. Contact and recontact households to determine Free or Reduced-price eligibility if their student owes more than the cost of 5 meals.
3. Offer assistance in completing Free or Reduced-price meal applications

McMinnville School District will observe the above provisions and allow meal charges during established meal times if the student is unable to pay. A meal charge will be documented on the students account and unpaid meal balances will be the responsibility of the parent or guardian.

As specified by the current law, the district is unable to establish a debt limit. Parents or guardians only may set charging limits, for their students, in writing or by calling the Nutrition Services Office.

First meals only may be charged. Second meals and a la carte items, including milk, to accompany meals brought from home and a la carte items are exempt from this provision. Parents who have imposed limits on student accounts will limit students from charging meals and or a la carte items.

Account Management and Debt Collection

Prepayment for meals may be made by utilizing Myschoolbucks.com or at the school cafeteria. Checks and cash will be accepted at the schools and credit or debit cards may be used at MySchoolBucks.com. Parents may monitor student activity and balances as well by utilizing this tool.

Unpaid meal charges will be considered debt once a meal has been served. Payment will be considered overdue when funds are not available. MSD will take action to collect unpaid meal charges or debts by sending negative balance notifications each week. Notices may be sent by mail, email or automated phone call.

Debt collection efforts will consist of the following procedures:

1. Utilize a automated telephone message after two weeks of nonresponse.
2. Send a letter notifying parents that the unpaid meal charges will be sent to
   collections after a debt of $75 or more has accrued.
3. Send an email or letter to parents notifying them of an unpaid meal balance monthly.

Repayment plans will be established upon request.

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.