District raises school meal prices by 10¢ to comply with paid‑lunch equity rules

The McHenry School District 15 Board of Education on June 24 approved a 10¢ increase in school meal prices for fiscal 2026 to comply with the federal paid‑lunch equity requirement under the National School Lunch Program.

District staff told the board that the paid‑lunch equity calculation limits the annual price increase and that 10¢ is the maximum recommended increase for the district this year. Staff said the district is not operating the food service program for profit and has reinvested prior program revenue in kitchen upgrades and equipment; representatives listed planned reinvestments including replacing steam tables at Valley View and Hilltop and flooring work at Valley View’s cafeteria.

Board members asked whether the program is losing money and how the increase would be used; staff said the program is not losing money and that the additional revenue will be reinvested in equipment and food-service improvements. The presenter also noted a $10,000 grant award the food service director obtained to support the district’s school breakfast program.

A roll-call vote approved the 10¢ increase. The presenter said the change is a routine compliance step and that households receiving free or reduced meals are not affected by paid pricing changes.

The board adopted the fee increase for fiscal 2026; staff will implement the new prices at the start of the fiscal year.