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Region 15 board tables decision on 2025–26 school meal price increases
Summary
Regional School District 15 board members heard a detailed finance briefing on the school lunch program's budget shortfall and voted to table approval of 2025'26 breakfast and lunch prices until the June 9 meeting.
Regional School District 15 board members on May 27 voted to table a decision on 2025'26 school breakfast and lunch price increases after a lengthy discussion of program deficits and reserve balances.
The move came after school business officials told the board the lunch program faces a current-year shortfall of about $64,000 and a projected $52,000 gap for 2025'26 if prices remain unchanged. Board members and staff described a strategy of "smoothing" price increases to avoid sudden impacts on families and to use accumulated reserves built during COVID to cover short-term deficits.
Board members were presented with an analysis showing that leaving prices unchanged would create a roughly $117,000 combined shortfall over two years. Finance staff said a 25-cent increase would raise roughly $72,000 in additional revenue, reducing but not eliminating the shortfall. Officials emphasized the meal program is self-funded and that deficits are covered from the program's own reserves rather than from the district's general fund.
During the discussion, board members underscored how the district had built reserves during the COVID period when meals were free and participation was high, and that those reserves could sustain deficits for a limited period. Staff warned that the reserves could not support ongoing multi-year deficits and that gradual price increases might be necessary to achieve a long-term breakeven position.
After questions about reimbursements and federal subsidies, and clarification that the proposed 25-cent figure was cents (not percent), Board member Heather Dwyer moved to table approval of the 2025'26 lunch and breakfast prices until the June 9 meeting. Tom seconded the motion. The board voted unanimously to table the item.
Board members requested additional information for the June discussion, including updated financials, precise impacts on families, and a clearer presentation of reimbursements and reserve levels. The item will return to the board at its June 9 regular meeting.
