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Salem School Board approves 10¢ breakfast, 20¢ lunch increases for 2025
Summary
Board voted 5–0 to raise paid meal prices — 10 cents for breakfast and 20 cents for lunch at all levels — citing federal price‑equity guidance and anticipated rising costs; free and reduced‑price meals unaffected.
The Salem School Board voted unanimously on May 13 to increase paid school meal prices by 10 cents for breakfast and 20 cents for lunch across elementary, middle and high schools.
Deborah Payne, assistant superintendent for business operations, told the board the district reviews its paid‑meal pricing each year against the federal reimbursement rate using a “price equity tool.” Payne said the district’s goal is to move paid prices closer to federal reimbursement so the nutrition fund remains solvent and can absorb rising costs for labor and food.
“For every 10 cents that we increase [breakfast], that would bring in about $3,000 more for the year,” Payne said, noting the breakfast program serves far fewer meals than lunch. Payne reminded the board that free and reduced‑price meals are not affected; state and federal reimbursements subsidize reduced‑price breakfast students.
Board member Bernard Campbell moved the measure, proposing a 10‑cent breakfast and 20‑cent lunch increase; the motion, seconded by Michael Carney, passed 5–0.
Payne reviewed the district’s recent rate history: several years of small increases (commonly 10 cents), a pause during a pandemic waiver period when meals were universally free, and a 30‑cent increase in one prior year when permitted. She said several peer districts have higher rates and are likely to increase as well. The administration said a 10‑cent breakfast increase may modestly encourage participation while also helping the program’s long‑term balance.
Board members discussed alternatives including a smaller breakfast increase, and emphasized monitoring program balances and the new director of school nutrition’s role in sustaining operations.
The change affects paid meals only and will be implemented for the coming fiscal/school year; administrators said the district will continue to track meal program finances monthly.
