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Board approves modest increases to adult and a la carte meal prices, plans potential 10¢ student lunch increase next year
Summary
Food service staff won board approval for new adult meal and a la carte prices for 2025–26 and signaled a likely 10¢ student lunch increase next year, citing USDA paid-lunch-equity tool guidance and a modest decline in a la carte revenue.
The North Scott Community School District Board on June 23 approved proposed food-service fee changes for 2025–26, including updated adult meal prices and modest a la carte increases; staff said they expect to consider a 10¢ student lunch increase next year.
Food-service staff told the board that the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s paid lunch equity tool (used to estimate appropriate paid prices) recommended a weighted-average lunch price near $3.25; the district’s current weighted average is about $2.96. Because the district maintains a positive food-service fund balance, staff said they are not required to raise student prices this year but expect to consider a 10¢ increase for student lunches in 2026.
The immediate proposal approved by the board set adult lunch at about $5.00 (presented as $4.97 required by the tool; staff recommended $5.00) and recommended modest increases for a la carte items (staff cited about $20,000 lower a la carte revenue year-over-year and proposed a 10¢ increase on some items). Staff also noted milk price increases (from about $0.50 to $0.60) and said reduced-price meal amounts remain 40¢ for lunch and 30¢ for breakfast.
A motion to accept the proposed meal fees was moved, seconded and approved by voice vote. Staff said some USDA final meal-rate figures for 2025–26 were not yet released at the time of the meeting, so some numbers are estimates; staff will finalize rates once federal guidance and full May/June revenue data are available.
