Committee adopts wellness policy ADF; unpaid meal‑charge procedure to protect students

The Blackstone‑Millville Regional School Committee voted June 23 to approve revisions to the district wellness policy (ADF) and to adopt updated procedures addressing unpaid meal charges.

The committee reviewed the wellness procedures packet and an unpaid meal‑charge policy that the superintendent said was written to match the committee’s direction. Committee members and staff emphasized that, under the updated language, "all students will be provided a reimbursable meal," and that a la carte items will not be permitted when families have unpaid balances. The committee also confirmed that parents — not students — will be contacted directly about unpaid charges.

A motion to approve policy ADF was made and seconded; the committee voted to adopt the policy as written. The wellness protocols and procedures themselves are not a policy vote but will be posted alongside ADF after the committee confirms how the procedure should be lettered and formatted with MASC.

Committee members reviewed the district’s history on unpaid balances, including a previous year‑end balance that the committee said was significant; members discussed how the new language avoids measures that were previously illegal (for example, withholding diplomas) and how the policy attempts to balance student dignity with fiscal responsibility.

The superintendent and food services staff will ensure the procedures are uploaded and that website language and department pages match the newly approved policy.