Sunman-Dearborn Community Schools participates in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP).  The NSLP requires school food authorities to establish written administrative guidelines and procedures for meal charges.  Sunman-Dearborn Community School Food and Nutrition Services Department will adhere to the following meal charge procedure.

Meal Accounts

Each student has a meal account set up with their Student ID Number.  Student ID numbers can be obtained by contacting the School or the Food and Nutrition Services Department.  Households with multiple students may request for meal accounts to be linked to shared funds on the account. You must deposit money into the account with a credit card through EZ School Pay (www.ezschoolpay.com), check, or cash. Checks should be made payable to Sunman-Dearborn Community Schools (SDCS) Cafeteria.  You must have the student’s full name and ID on the check or envelope.  Any check that is returned for non-sufficient funds will incur a $20.00 service fee.  


All students will be enrolled to use Identimetrics Biometric Finger Scanning Technology to purchase their lunch. Parents may request for their student to opt out of using the Biometric Finger Scanning Technology by completing an Opt-Out Request Form and turning it in in the cafeteria.  Forms are available in the office, cafeteria, or online. If a student opts out, they will be required to utilize an ID card or give their name at the point of sale. 


Parent/Guardians may request to have their students' meal accounts linked so the funds will be shared across the accounts.  Please complete the request form: https://forms.gle/uqqSMtfZwYi7BL5h6

Low or Negative Balance Reminders

The School Messenger System provides weekly phone calls and emails for all low (less than $10.00) and negative account balances.  Cashiers may also notify students of their account balance when they purchase their meals. If necessary, the Director of Food and Nutrition Services or Food and Nutrition Service Manager will make a courtesy phone call, email, or mail negative balance reminders to the household. Parents may also receive low-balance reminders through EZ School Pay (www.ezschoolpay.com).  Payments for meal accounts do not need to be made through EZ School Pay to utilize this service. 

Collection of Unpaid Debt

At the end of the school year, all meal accounts (including inactive students who have withdrawn or graduated) with a negative balance and no attempt to satisfy the debt may be sent to small claims court. Debts taken to court are totaled with outstanding debts across the corporation (i.e. athletics, book bills, etc.). Outstanding debt not filed with small claims is accrued from one school year to the next. At any point, all outstanding debts (totaling across the corporation) may be filed with small claims.

Inactive Student Accounts

Inactive student accounts with a positive balance will be transferred to a sibling, if applicable, or refunded if greater than $5.00.   You must contact the Director of Food and Nutrition Services for refunds of less than $5.00. 

End of School Year Account Balances

Funds in active student meal accounts (including negative balances) will roll over to the next school year.  Accounts ending the school year with a negative balance will have until September 30th of the next school year to add money and avoid possible collection.