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School nutrition program to raise student meal prices by 25 cents next year
Summary
School nutrition staff proposed and described a small price increase for paid student meals next school year to avoid using federal funds to subsidize paid meals; the board discussed comparability and fund balance rules but took no separate vote.
School nutrition staff told the New Kent County School Board Monday that the division plans a modest 25‑cent increase in paid student meal prices for 2025‑26 to keep paid meal pricing aligned with a state‑provided pricing tool and avoid subsidizing paid meals with federal funds.
Under the proposed pricing, elementary lunch will rise to $3.25 and breakfast to $2.25; middle school lunch to $3.50 and breakfast to $2.50; and high school lunch to $3.75 and breakfast to $2.75.
The presenter said the division tries to limit use of federal funds to subsidize paid meals and noted the Virginia Department of Education provides a pricing tool that informs recommended prices. Staff also noted the division’s school nutrition fund balance is used for equipment and staff costs and that state guidance generally allows about three months of operating expenses to be retained.
Board members asked whether the 25‑cent raise was sufficient and whether New Kent’s prices were comparable to neighboring divisions. Staff said the VDOE tool indicated the increase was appropriate and offered to provide a comparative pricing analysis to the board.
No separate board vote on meal prices was recorded as a standalone item. The school nutrition report and related budget items are reflected in the FY26 operating budget adopted later in the meeting.
Why it matters: Meal prices affect families of students who do not qualify for free or reduced‑price meals and the school nutrition program’s ability to maintain services without using federal program funds for paid meals.
