Prices

School lunch prices for the 2010-11 school year will be $2.25 for elementary students, $2.50 for high school students and $.40 for reduced price lunch.

School breakfast prices will be $1.25 for elementary students, $1.50 for high school students and $.30 for reduced price students.

An a la carte item (low fat ice cream, 100% fruit juice drinks, baked chips and other healthy snack items) will be available on a daily basis. Prices for a la carte items vary, beginning at $.50.


Payment options

Once again, students have the option of paying cash in line or purchasing meals in advance.
The money is deposited into students accounts, eliminating the need for students to keep up with cash each day. Students now have the option of paying on-line or by phone. For more
information, call 775-7814 or visit the Web site www.mealpayplus.com.

Every student will be issued a five-digit number to be used when receiving meals in the cafeteria. All students are required to enter their number on a key pad at the cash register.
The student must memorize his/her number.


Charging meals

Students will only be allowed to charge meals at the elementary and middle schools in emergency situations. There will be no charges allowed at RCHS. The Department of Education does not want any student to go without eating, so parents are asked to make sure their child has lunch money every day or has prepaid their meals.

Students without lunch money will be required to go to the office to get a charge slip. If charges become excessive, students may be given an alternate meal or be asked to make other meal arrangements. There will be no charges after May 1, 2011.  See the Web site for the complete charge policy.

Checks will be accepted, however, beginning this year. There will be a $30 returned check fee in addition to any fees charged by the bank. No additional checks will be accepted until all returned checks and fees are paid.


Returned check policy

The Rhea County Board of Education has entered into an agreement with Payliance, Inc., for the collection of all returned checks issued to all Rhea County locations. The board requires that the following information is on all checks written: a full name, street address and home phone number.

If a check is returned by one's bank, it will be automatically forwarded by the Rhea County Board of Education's bank directly to Payliance after the first presentation.

Check Payment Terms: In consideration of merchant accepting customer's payment by check and other good and valuable consideration, the customer agrees that if any check is returned unpaid for any reason, the customer expressly authorizes merchant or it's processing agent to assignee to electronically collect or create a demand draft to collect the face amount of the check and a $30 return check service fee as well as any applicable bank fees and sales tax.
Customer's payment by check is customer's express acceptance of the terms and shall serve as customer's authorization for the electronic collection and/or demand draft on customer's account.


Qualifying for free or reduced lunch

Students may qualify for free or reduced price meals. Applications will be made available to all students. Parents are asked to complete one application per family and return it to their child's school as quickly as possible. Students approved for free or reduced price meals last school year will be allowed to eat based on last year's status for a limited time not to exceed the first month of school or until a new application is processed.

So there is no delay or interruption of meals, applications should be turned in to the school office or to the department of education food service office no later than Sept. 8, 2010.
Students receiving free and reduced meals last year will be required to pay for meals if they fail to submit a new application within the first month of school.

The only exception will be students who were receiving AFDC (Families First) or supplemental nutrition assistance program (SNAP) benefits (formerly the food stamp program) in May 2010 are eligible for free meals and do not need to return an application.

The Rhea County School System is concerned about the health and wellness of its students.
As part of the approved wellness plan, look for tips for healthy lifestyles on the Web site www.rheacounty.org.

All students are encouraged to eat breakfast and lunch at school by the Department of Education.


Discrimination policy

In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability. To file a complaint of discrimination, write to USDA Director Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call 1-800-795-3272 or 202-720-6382. USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.