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Lunch Account Information

MySchoolBucks

Create a free MySchoolBucks account to conveniently view your student's cafeteria purchases, check their account balance, and securely add money to their account from anywhere. 

Questions?  Call the Food Services Office at 785/832-5000 between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Online Meal Accounting System

The Nutrition & Wellness Department uses an online meal accounting system. The meal accounting system is a debit system, which means that you deposit money into an account and as the student eats, the meal charge is deducted from the account balance.

It is expected that all account balances will be kept positive. The Nutrition & Wellness Department cannot extend credit to families for purchase of meals or a la carte items. If you are unable to pay for your students' meals, we encourage you to complete an application for free/reduced price meals.

Students will be able to enter their student ID number via pin pad or use their student ID card to purchase meals and/or a la carte from the cafeteria.

We are not responsible for any cash sent to school with children. If at all possible, please pay by check with reference to your student ID number and school. You may also make credit card payments online via www.myschoolbucks.com.

Your first payment for meals needs to be made prior to the first day that meals are served so that there is money in your student's account.  Please do NOT combine a lunch money payment with other school type payments (e.g., enrollment fees, fines, cash).  Meal payment envelopes are available in the cafeteria and most school offices. 

Returned Check Information
Lunch payment checks that are returned due to insufficient funds are sent directly to RECHECK, Inc. in Wichita, Kansas. You will receive correspondence from RECHECK and be responsible for payment of the face value of the check and the associated $30.00 fee.
 
RECHECK can also re-present the check to your bank for payment of the face amount and fee a number of times. The check amount will be deducted from your students' account and not credited back until we receive notification from RECHECK that the debt has been satisfied. This may be a lengthy process. You may call RECHECK at 1-888-794-7325 to pay by credit card to hasten the resolution.

Low-Balance Meal Account Reminders

It is recommended that parents set up low-balance meal account reminders through MySchoolBucks.com. This free service allows parents to look at student purchase histories and set up email notifications for low balances. This service is available to all parents even if they do not want to use the online payment option.  

  • At elementary schools, weekly statements are sent home with students and/or an automated phone call will remind parents of low balances.
  • At the secondary level, your child may be given a verbal notice by the cashier when he/she has a low balance.  Automated phone calls will  also be made to parents.

Calls will be made via the district's automated calling system.

End-of-Year Balances
At the end of the school year, refunds will not be made on student accounts unless the student is leaving the district. The balance in the meal account will be forwarded to the next school year even if the student is attending a different school in USD 497. If a student is graduating, any remaining balance will be transferred to a younger sibling(s). If no younger siblings attend USD 497, households may request a reimbursement form from the cashier for a refund check from the district.
 
Students Without Funds to Purchase Meals
Proper nutrition is essential for adequate learning to occur. Our policy regarding students without funds in their meal accounts aims to ensure that all students are treated with dignity and respect in the serving line. A regular reimbursable meal will be served to all students regardless of account balance. No breakfast or lunch will be taken away from a student, regardless of ability to pay. No alternative meal will be given to students with a low or negative balance.
 
Meal Support Fund
The School Nutrition Meal Support Fund is a fund designated for students experiencing financial hardship. Money donated to the Meal Support Fund may only be used for negative balance accounts. The School Nutrition Meal Support Fund committee will designate how to distribute the donations, noting "MSF Transfer" in the account remarks. Donors contributing more than $250 (or upon request) will receive a charitable contribution acknowledgement for their generous donation.