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Ball Chatham board approves multi-year meal-price increases after food-service loss warning
Summary
After a food-service presentation that documented a recent operational loss, the Ball Chatham CUSD 5 board approved a plan to raise school meal prices (25¢ at K–8 in year one; phased small increases thereafter and a one-time larger adjustment at the high school) to comply with federal paid-lunch-equity guidance and narrow an estimated deficit.
The Ball Chatham CUSD 5 Board of Education voted to raise student meal prices after Director of Food Services Chad Martell told the board the district experienced its first significant food-service loss in 2024–25 and is at “a tipping point.” The board approved the price changes by voice roll call during its meeting.
Martell told the board that rising salaries and benefits, persistent staffing shortages—particularly at high-school cashier stations—and year-over-year increases in food costs have driven the deficit. He said federal and state reimbursements have not kept pace with operational cost increases and that the high school’s a la carte model is especially vulnerable because it receives no meal-program…
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