Meal Purchases
Breakfast is provided free to any student through our universal free breakfast program.
Students may pay for lunch with cash when going through the lunch line, or meals can be paid for in advance by check (payable to Groveport Madison Schools). The District also contracts with “
PaySchools,” which allows parents to put money on their child's account via credit card or an electronic funds transfer.
Meal Charges
We understand there are occasions when students may run short of lunch money or leave their packed lunch on the kitchen table before jumping on the school bus. In these unexpected situations, students may “charge” their lunch (as outlined below). Charges are considered a debt and must be repaid by the student or the parent/guardian. Please note the following allowances for meal charges:
- Regular Lunch Service (all grades) – No more than five (5) days of outstanding charges are permitted.
- Reduced-Price Lunch Service (all grades) – No more than five (5) days of outstanding charges are permitted.
- Ala Carte Items – No charges are permitted.
Notifying Parents/Guardians of Meal Charges
When a meal is charged, the food services staff will issue the student a “Meal Charge Notification," which the student is expected to take home to their parent/guardian. If a student accumulates the maximum number of meal charges, the food services department will contact the student’s parent/guardian to plan for repayment, and the student will be provided an alternate meal.
Alternate Meals
In instances where the student has accumulated the maximum allowable meal charges, the student will be provided with an alternate meal consisting of a cheese sandwich, fruit, and white milk until payment is received or the debt has been reduced to $15 or less. The alternate meal will meet all U.S.D.A. National School Lunch Program nutritional guidelines. Documented special dietary restrictions will be considered when issuing any alternate meals.
Accumulated Lunch Debt
The parent/guardian must pay any accrued debt (charges) associated with the student by the end of the school year. Any unpaid meal debts will be carried over to the following year, per U.S.D.A. guidelines, and will be considered to be turned over for collections.