Board rescinds planned second 25¢ school-meal price increase after staff recommendation

The Campbell County School District #1 Board of Trustees voted unanimously at the meeting to rescind a planned second 25-cent increase to full-pay student meal prices for the 2025–26 school year.

District nutrition supervisor Brian Young presented participation and revenue data showing the district had implemented the first 25¢ increase earlier and that the second 25¢ would have added roughly $80,000–$90,000 in best-case revenue but that participation changes could reduce that figure. Young told trustees the first 25¢ added about $15,000 from full‑pay elementary breakfasts and roughly $70,000 from full‑pay lunches, and produced roughly $51,000 in additional a la carte revenue at secondary schools; the district’s estimates for an added 25¢ varied depending on future participation.

The board’s decision followed comments from district administrators who noted an ongoing judicial recalibration process and a judge’s order that could change how school nutrition is funded in Wyoming. District staff recommended pausing the second increase until the legislature’s recalibration and funding picture are clearer to avoid passing costs onto households if state funding changes are imminent.

Trustees discussed how the district currently subsidizes nutrition services from the general fund and reviewed recent history: the district did not transfer general funds to nutrition services in the most recent year but has previously made large transfers (one noted transfer of about $2 million in an earlier year). Administrators said the annual subsidy level historically averages around $750,000 and that raising meal prices was intended to reduce that deficit while keeping meals affordable.

Following discussion, a motion was made to rescind the second 25¢ increase for the 2025–26 school year. The motion was moved, seconded and passed unanimously.

Votes at a glance - Motion to rescind the second 25¢ meal-price increase for 2025–26: approved unanimously (mover/second not recorded on the transcript). Note: district staff recommended pausing the second increase pending legislative recalibration and a judge’s order related to funding. - Other related actions at the same meeting (see Votes at a glance summary in this article): consent agenda approved (remainder after an item was pulled); human-resources subsection B.2.a approved (one trustee announced a planned no vote but the motion passed); textbook adoptions approved; summer meeting schedule approved; a set of appointments announced (formal votes/minutes captured on the consent agenda).

What the vote does and does not do The board’s vote rescinds only the previously planned second 25¢ increase for 2025–26; the initial 25¢ increase already in place remains. District staff said they will continue to monitor participation and revenue and revisit price policy if the state funding picture changes.

Next steps District leadership said they will: (1) monitor outcomes from the current school year; (2) track legislative recalibration work and any state budget decisions that affect school nutrition funding; and (3) return with updated analysis if further pricing action is proposed.

Sources and context The discussion and vote were led during the board’s business session by Brian Young (Supervisor, Nutrition) and district administrators who presented the revenue/participation data and funding context. Administrators repeatedly emphasized uncertainty due to pending state-level funding changes and a judicial order affecting recalibration.