Depositing Money Into Student Accounts
Families have the option of adding funds to their child's account online through LINQ Connect or with cash or check. Checks should be made payable to “West Shore Cafeteria Fund” and sent to school in an envelope with the student’s name, ID number, and the amount of the deposit written on the front. If checks are returned for insufficient funds by the bank, the student's account will be debited for $37 (to cover fees paid by the District), in addition to the amount of the original payment.
Negative Account Balance Procedures
State law prevents food service staff from telling students about negative balances, unless students ask. Automated emails informing parents of the low balance are usually made one time per week when the student’s balance drops below $5.00 and phone calls with emails are usually sent twice per week if the balance drops into the negative. While students with a negative balance will not be permitted to purchase a la carte items, the District will permit students to charge breakfast and lunch when their accounts have insufficient funds.
At no time will students without sufficient funds be denied a meal. A la carte items may only be purchased by students with money available in their account.
Parents/Guardians are responsible for all charges on their student’s account and are encouraged to frequently check the account balance to ensure adequate funds are available for their student(s) to purchase school breakfasts, lunches, and a la carte items.
If a student owes more than $10.00 on their account, a cafeteria staff member will attempt to make a courtesy call (or send a letter) to inform parents/guardians of the student’s negative meal account balance and request an immediate deposit to the account. If the negative balance exceeds $30.00, the building principal will contact the parents/guardians to discuss circumstances.
Collection of Outstanding Balances
If a student has a negative meal account balance at the close of the school year or following a transfer to another district, the meal account balance will be converted to a parent/guardian financial obligation. The financial obligation will remain the responsibility of the student’s parents/guardians until it is paid in full in compliance with Board Policy 808.
Requesting an Account Refund or Balance Transfer (revised 7.8.25)
Positive balances for underclassmen will be automatically carried over to the next school year. Refunds from student meal accounts are granted when a student graduates, leaves the District, or a special circumstance necessitates the refund.
Upon withdrawing from the District, students must bring their account to a zero balance. Graduating seniors may request a refund or may request that balances be transferred to another student enrolled in the District. Positive balances for underclassmen will be carried over to the following year.
Shortly after their final day of school, seniors will automatically receive a meal account refund request form if they have a positive account balance. Remaining funds (of any amount) may be transferred to younger students or refunded to the family. For graduates or students who do not return a refund request form the funds will automatically be returned to the family. After 3 years if the family cannot be located, the excess funds will be turned over as unclaimed property to the Pennsylvania Department of Treasury.
Students receiving free and reduced-priced meals shall be treated under these same guidelines.
Parents/Guardians are responsible for all charges on their student’s account and are encouraged to frequently check the account balance to ensure adequate funds are available for their student(s) to purchase school breakfasts, lunches, and a la carte items.