New policy requires reporting children without lunch money

New policy requires reporting children without lunch money


LAFAYETTE — A Lafayette Parish School System policy takes effect today requiring school officials to report to the state the parents who repeatedly send their child to school without lunch money.

The policy is in compliance with new state legislation that sets guidelines for schools who don’t allow students to charge school lunch meals.

Prior to its no-charge policy implemented in 2007, the school system ate more than $250,000 in unpaid meal bills each year, according to a school system release.

At least 15,745 meals have been served to students without lunch money since school started in August, according to Renee Sherville, child nutrition supervisor.

The majority of those meals were served to elementary students, she said.

The legislation applies to students in grades pre-K through eight and requires schools with no-charge policies to provide students either a “sandwich” or “substantial and nutritious snack” if a meal is denied for nonpayment.

The child’s parent or guardian must also be notified when a meal is denied and of the consequences of a third incident of no lunch money — a report made to the Department of Children and Family Services, according to the legislation.

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