Henniker board sets out-of-district tuition, keeps preschool rate and approves 10¢ lunch increase

The Henniker School Board voted on June 4 to set next year’s out-of-district tuition rate at $17,757.36 and to keep the district preschool monthly tuition at $275. The board also approved a 10¢ increase in paid lunch prices for the coming year.

Chris, the district’s business administrator, presented the calculations used to set annual tuition. He said the board’s method uses the state cost-per-pupil calculation (subtracting specified items such as transportation and food sales) and the district’s base adequacy figure of $4,265.64. That produced the proposed out-of-district tuition of $17,757.36, an increase of $1,016.12 from the prior year. The board voted to accept the tuition rate as presented.

The board then voted to maintain the preschool monthly tuition at $275, citing comparisons with nearby childcare and preschool providers whose programs run more hours per day. Board members noted the district’s preschool programs run 2½ hours per day, Monday–Thursday.

On food service, Chris told the board the federal paid lunch equity tool (which helps determine whether meal prices cover costs) had not been released for next year by federal agencies at the time of the meeting; staff therefore proposed a modest 10¢ price increase based on historical calibrations and the contractor’s recommendation. The board approved the 10¢ increase. The administration said FreshFix, the district’s food-service contractor, projects a food-service program shortfall of $9,135 next year and that the district’s food-service fund balance stood at about $66,000 as of the end of last year. Administrators said the fund balance provides a runway but that ongoing planning will be needed during upcoming budget workshops.

Board members discussed participation rates in the meal program and the proportion of students receiving free or reduced-price meals. Administrators explained that federal reimbursements for free meals often exceed the paid price, and that the fund balance grew during pandemic-era federal reimbursements; they said staff will explore long-term options, including possible service models and contract changes, during budget season.

Motions on tuition, preschool tuition and the lunch price increase were carried by voice vote; no roll-call tallies were recorded in the meeting minutes for those motions.