Mineola School Board Adopts New Lunch Policy

Following discussions about a number of students charging their lunches to the student accounts but , the adopted a new policy limiting the amount that can be charged in the school cafeterias at their recent .

The new policy establishes a rate where after accounts reach a certain point, “children will no longer have the option, or families will no longer have the option of going into arrears in their account,” Superintendent Dr. Michael Nagler explained. “So either they settle up their account or they get a minimum lunch” which adheres to state nutrition standards.

The threshold is set at $10 in allowable charges for meals before the “minimum” meal of a fruit, milk, vegetable and cheese sandwich is given to students. No à la carte items may be charged and no breakfasts may be charged unless the student receives reduced meals.

The letters would be sent from the district’s central office and building principals will follow up. “The worst-case that will happen is they’ll never be able to buy lunch until they settle the account and they’ll continue to get the minimum,” Dr. Nagler said.

Currently the district estimates it is owed a total of about $4,000 from various families, each of which will be receiving letters indicating the amount they owe. Students would still be able to buy lunch via cash.

Until reparations are made, “we can hold back textbooks, we can hold back things they typically would get until they settle their accounts,” Dr. Nagler said. Attorneys for the district said that the practice is legal.