Daviess County OKs smaller-than-recommended high school lunch increase, cites food-service reserves

The Daviess County Board of Education approved a proposed increase in paid student lunch prices that raises the high school lunch from $2.50 to $3.00, while noting a federal/state tool suggested a $4.00 price to comply with paid lunch equity calculations.

According to materials presented to the board, the district completed the Paid Lunch Equity Tool and found high school lunch prices would need to rise to $4.00 from $2.50 to meet the tool’s calculation. District staff told the board the Food Service fund balance would allow the district to limit the increase to $3.00 instead. The meal-price item was included in the consent agenda the board approved unanimously (Order #163).

Why it matters: Paid-lunch pricing is tied to federal rule guidance and to district budgets that support meals for students who pay; changes affect family budgets, food-service revenue and potential future eligibility for program calculations.

Board action and next steps: The price change was approved as part of the consent agenda and will be implemented by the district administration. The agenda item did not specify an effective date within the meeting materials; the board packet framed the adjustment in the context of the 2025–26 pricing review.

Details and context: The board’s materials said the Paid Lunch Equity Tool determines whether paid meal prices are keeping pace with inflation and program costs. The district elected a smaller increase than the tool’s calculated need on account of available reserves in the Food Service fund; the packet did not list the Food Service fund’s exact balance in the meal-price section.

No public comment on the item was recorded during the meeting.