Beaufort County Schools debuted an online deposit system for parents to pay for their children’s lunch meals at the beginning of the school year, but for many parents, it’s still a new concept.

Sarah Hodges, public information officer for Beaufort County Schools, said the school system is still trying to alert parents about this payment option.

She said the new system was put in place after hearing feedback from busy parents who wanted an easier way to provide lunch money.

“Each child has a student ID number that follows them through school,” she said. “The parent would log on the first time and set up an account (connected to the ID number).”

“That way when the child charges something … it comes right out of that account,” Hodges said.

Gwyn Roberson McBride, director of Child Nutrition Services, said Beaufort County Schools sent out an approximately $52,000 bid for a new software package, which includes the deposit service.

“We have to bid out all of our services according to federal and state guidelines,” she said. “We sent out a bid back in March of last year and compiled the info, and we awarded the bid to the company with the program that was most like what we were looking for.”

After assessing the options, the school district decided on the program K12 Payment Center from Educational Management Systems, where parents can pay off a lunch balance with credit or debit cards, McBride said.

She said parents can also view what their child has purchased and eaten while at school.

“It’s becoming more and more popular in North Carolina,” McBride said. “I think it’s just really simple, and they can do it at any computer and on their smartphone.”

Hodges said the new system will save time for parents but also for school staff, as there will be fewer unpaid balances or overdue charges for which to track down a payment.

“That’s been a challenge for us for quite some time at Beaufort County Schools,” she said. “We’ll make calls to the homes when they acquire a balance.”

McBride said the new software package also applies to families that are not able to afford their children’s lunches, as applications for free and reduced lunches are available online year-round.

She said the applications are sent directly to the school district, and if a family qualifies based on income, then a letter is sent out to confirm it.

Hodges said all of these aspects are examples of how the school district is continually trying to make life easier for parents. The deposit can be accessed via Beaufort County Schools’ website or the app.

“We’re always looking for ways to make life more manageable for our parents,” she said. “It’s a win-win for everybody.”

To access the online deposit system, visit beaufort.k12.nc.us, select the “Parents” tab and choose the “Pay for Student Meals Online” tab on the left.