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Board approves higher school meal prices for 2025–26 as county funding continues to cover student meals
Summary
Board voted to increase menu prices for the 2025–26 school year while county commissioners continue to fund no-cost student meals; the district requested higher reimbursement from the county due to rising costs.
The Jackson County Board of Education approved a meal-price increase for the 2025–26 school year, and district staff asked the county to continue funding no-cost meals for students.
Laura Kaye, who presented the item, said that “all students in Jackson County Public Schools receive meals at no cost thanks to our county commissioners,” and that the district must request funding annually to sustain the program. Kaye detailed the proposed prices: student breakfast would increase from $2.00 to $2.50; student lunch from $3.75 to $4.50; adult lunch (including staff) from $4.75 to $5.50. Kaye cited rising supply, equipment, salary and food costs as the rationale for the increase.
Dr. Harris added context about county payments: last year the district requested “about half a million dollars,” and next year’s budget request is expected to be approximately $700,000 to continue funding no-cost meals for students. Kaye said the requested amounts are billed monthly to the county based on participation counts.
Board members moved and seconded a motion to approve the 2025–26 meal price increase; the motion passed in open session with the board answering “All in favor.” The approval sets the billed amounts the district will request from the county to reimburse expenses; students will continue to receive meals at no cost as long as county funding is provided.
