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Grand Forks board approves 20¢ increase to several school meal prices; fund 50 stays separate
Summary
The Grand Forks Public Schools board voted to raise multiple meal prices by 20¢ to protect the health of Fund 50, the district’s child-nutrition fund, while administrators said the district will remain among the lowest-priced in the state. The move passed by roll call, 9–0.
The Grand Forks Public Schools board voted unanimously to raise several meal prices by 20 cents each as administrators said they need a modest increase to maintain the district’s child nutrition fund.
Mister Baumbach, presenting the administration’s recommendation with Director Wendy Manky of Child Nutrition, said the increases apply to elementary breakfast and lunch, secondary breakfast and lunch, and adult breakfast. He told the board Fund 50 is legally and operationally separate from the general fund and that USDA program rules require price changes in 10¢ increments.
"We haven't adjusted meal prices since the 2018 school year," Baumbach said, noting the recommended 20¢ increase would still leave Grand Forks among the lowest-priced districts in North Dakota. The presentation included an estimated annualized impact of $17.40 per paying student.
Director Wendy Manky described how the fund is managed and why the district has been able to sustain a healthy balance: a combination of USDA reimbursement, paid meal revenue, and careful expense management. She also said the department has paid down some capital needs and aims to continue responsible equipment replacement.
Board members asked how the free and reduced-price program works and whether students would be identified at the lunch line. Director Manky explained the application process is now being pushed online, that eligibility is income-based, and that meal accounts are anonymous at the point of sale so students are not identified in the lunch line.
Several trustees praised the child nutrition staff. Doctor Brenner pointed to locally run fundraising and private donations that help subsidize delinquent meal balances; he said the district typically raises roughly $35,000–$40,000 a year through voluntary denim days and other fundraisers to assist families.
The motion to increase the indicated meal prices by 20¢ was seconded by Mister Cleven and passed on a roll-call vote recorded by the clerk as nine yes, zero no, zero absent. The board’s administrative materials and tables show the district remains below peer districts’ average prices even after the increase.
The board also discussed outreach to families about applying for free and reduced-price meals and indicated the district will continue to encourage applications and provide information on the district website.
