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Henderson County board ends universal breakfast K—12; price increases for lunch fail to pass
Summary
The school board voted to discontinue universal breakfast for grades K—12 for 2025—26, after a months-long finance review showed the child nutrition program operating at a loss. Proposed lunch price increases failed to pass and the board asked staff to explore community donation mechanisms and report back.
The Henderson County Board of Public Education voted to discontinue the district—s universal breakfast for all grade levels (K—12) for the 2025—26 school year, following staff presentations that showed the Child Nutrition program losing ground amid rising food and labor costs.
Child Nutrition staff presented per-plate cost figures and participation estimates. Current student charges are $3.50 for elementary lunches and $3.75 for secondary lunches, and staff projected the program would face a substantial deficit if current reimbursement and participation patterns continued. Administrators said the district expects to end the current fiscal year with about $1.3 million in Child Nutrition fund balance (roughly two months of operating reserves) and warned that a $200,000 indirect cost the district currently charges to the program may not be available next year, which would increase projected losses.
After discussion of options to reduce losses, the board voted to end universal breakfast for K—12 and to keep free or reduced-price meals and Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) arrangements in place for qualifying schools. The motion to discontinue universal breakfast passed.
The board then considered price increases for lunch. A motion to raise lunch prices by 25 cents failed. A second motion to raise lunch prices by 10 cents resulted in a 3-3 tie and did not pass; the board therefore left prices unchanged for now. Administrators warned that any price increase could reduce paid participation and that exact savings are difficult to predict.
Dr. Reavis, a board member, said she supports free meals in principle but acknowledged budget limits: "I am all for feeding all kids universal breakfast and lunch if we can afford it," she said during discussion.
Board members and staff discussed alternative approaches: (1) ending universal breakfast but keeping a "grab-and-go" or "chance" breakfast program at secondary schools, (2) incremental price increases, and (3) creating a donation or "pay it forward" fund to let community members contribute to student meal accounts. The board asked Superintendent Garrett to return with a recommendation on a charitable fund or partnership (for example, with the Henderson County Education Foundation) so community donations could be coordinated; the superintendent agreed to do so.
The board directed staff to provide quarterly updates on participation, revenues and savings so the board can revisit prices or other options as new data arrive.
No immediate changes were made to free and reduced-price eligibility; those programs remain in place and CEP schools will continue to receive universal meals per federal rules.
