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District flags lunch-price increase as likely after PLE tool shows cost-revenue gap
Summary
School officials said the Paid Lunch Equity tool estimates an average meal cost of $4.52, while current paid-lunch reimbursement for full-pay students was stated as 9¢; presenters said the district will need to consider price increases at the August meeting to close the gap.
District food-service staff and administrators told the board that the cost of producing lunches exceeds current paid‑student revenue and federal reimbursements, flagging a funding gap the board must address at its August meeting.
Catherine (reporting food-service data from Wendy Leclair) said the Paid Lunch Equity (PLE) tool estimates the average cost per lunch served this year at $4.52. Current meal prices are $1.65 for breakfast and $2.50 (elementary) to $3.25 (high school) for lunch. Catherine said federal reimbursement for a full‑pay student was cited as 9¢ during discussion and $4.12 for reduced-price students and full rate for those who qualify for free lunches.
Catherine said the food-service department currently requires an annual subsidy to finish the year in the black; one figure cited in the meeting was $127,000. Another board member later described a difference figure of $1,017,000 in the same segment; both figures were stated in the transcript by different speakers and reflect different references made during the discussion. The board was asked to consider either phased increases (for example two 25¢ steps) or other options and will take formal action at the August board meeting when Wendy or the food-service director presents a recommendation.
What’s next: The board scheduled the food-service pricing decision for August; administrators said they would present recommended price adjustments and supporting PLE-tool data at that meeting.
