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School board approves meal price increases after food-service budget presentation
Summary
Elkhorn Area School District food-service supervisor Ashley Drake presented monthly service numbers and proposed increases to breakfast, lunch and milk prices across elementary, middle and high schools; the board approved the proposed price changes by voice vote.
Ashley Drake, the district's food-service supervisor, presented a fiscal analysis of the district's food-service operations at the April 14 board meeting and recommended increases to student meal prices to address rising food and operating costs.
Drake told the board the department operates five kitchens and serves eight schools, and that March volumes were roughly 4,100 elementary breakfasts and 11,000 elementary lunches per month, 1,800 breakfasts and 8,000 lunches at middle schools, and 1,700 breakfasts and 13,000 lunches for the Career and College Academy. She said the program is tracked as an enterprise fund (Fund 50) and receives federal reimbursements and food-service sales in addition to limited state support.
To align with regional guidance and cover rising costs, Drake proposed the following changes: - Elementary: breakfast from $1.25 to $1.45; lunch from $2.45 to $2.75. - Middle school: breakfast from $1.55 to $1.75; lunch from $2.55 to $2.95. - High school: breakfast from $1.55 to $1.85; lunch from $2.65 to $3.10. - Milk price: increase to $0.50 across schools. - Full paid meal price (current $4.65) proposed to increase to $5.00.
Drake noted the department's largest expenses are food costs and wages and that reimbursement rates rose during the pandemic but have since declined. She also said new state limits on added sugars will take effect July 1, 2025, affecting some menu items and procurement.
Board members asked about participation rates, summer feeding and nutrition tracking; Drake said the district will operate a summer meal program (open to children up to age 18 and to persons up to 21 with disabilities) and that she recently implemented a nutrition-tracking system to monitor calories, sodium and added sugars.
A motion to approve the proposed price increases was moved and seconded and passed by voice vote.
Ending: The board approved the increases and Drake said she will continue to monitor costs and may revisit pricing annually as food and equipment costs change.
