WCSD Sees Nearly $250,000 in Overpaid Lunch Funds

The Washoe County School District is considering using overpaid lunch funds to offset overdue accounts, but the means for doing so does not currently exist. 

The district's Chief Operating Officer, Pete Etchart says they're awaiting legal advice and guidance from the Nevada Department of Agriculture (NDA) before going forward with the option. 

The surplus exists because of unused funds in prepaid lunch accounts. 

Here is the dilemma. Out of the $248,000 positive lunch balance carried over from last school year and additional past years, only about $31,000 actually belongs to students no longer enrolled in the district.

Another $40,000 sits in lunch accounts from current students who haven't used their money in three years or more. Because of this, Etchart says they don't want to take money out of accounts where active students can still potentially use those funds.

As for the $31,000 in unclaimed funds--he says they'll be able to make a better informed decision after speaking with the NDA. Etchart also reminds parents and students that they can request a refund or transfer for any unused lunch money in their accounts. They can do so, here.

Etchart adds if the reimbursement is not asked for within three to five years of graduating or leaving the district--that money may eventually be used for overdue lunch accounts, if given the green light by the NDA. 

After yesterday's board meeting, the district's 2017-2018 school year policies are now in their 15-day review period.