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Board approves modest lunch and breakfast price increases for 2025–26 school year
Summary
The Brentwood School Board voted unanimously to raise elementary lunch to $3.75 and breakfast to $2.25 for 2025–26 to keep pace with rising food and packaging costs; staff said the increase will not close the program deficit but should help "tread water."
A board member moved and the Brentwood School Board unanimously approved new school meal prices for the 2025–26 school year: lunch increasing to $3.75 and breakfast to $2.25.
Molly (central office staff) said food, packaging and transportation costs are rising and that the recommended increase would keep the district "closer to... the inflation and the the cost of packaging, transportation" but "it's not gonna close the gap by any means." She said the lunch program historically runs an annual shortfall and the operating budget covers uncollected balances; staff continue outreach about free and reduced-price eligibility.
Staff described peer pricing in neighboring schools and federal guidance: Molly noted the federal recommendation for next-year lunch pricing is $3.85 and that nearby elementary prices vary, with some districts already at $4.00. Board members discussed potential survey work to understand whether price increases deter meal purchases; staff said a short family survey could be done but expressed concern about response validity and staff workload.
A motion to adopt the recommended prices was made and seconded; the board recorded unanimous voice votes in favor. Staff said no students are denied lunch and the district will continue communications about free and reduced eligibility and reminders to families about meal accounts.
