San Angelo ISD board approves 25'cent increase to paid lunch prices

San Angelo ISD trustees voted unanimously on May 18 to increase paid lunch prices by 25'cents for the 2026'27 school year, a measure the child nutrition director said was necessary to move the district closer to the USDA's national weighted average and to offset rising food and supply costs.

The Child Nutrition Department presented the USDA paid lunch equity analysis showing San Angelo ISD's weighted average paid meal price at $3.08 for 2025'26, approximately $1.08 below the USDA target of $4.16. Under the recommended change, elementary paid lunches would rise from $3.00 to $3.25 and secondary lunches from $3.25 to $3.50; free and reduced-price meal eligibility and campuses on the Community Eligibility Provision would be unaffected.

The director said the program is self'sustaining and has lost roughly $800,000 in federal/local grant support since 2020, which, combined with commodity and bid price increases (including an announced rise in milk costs), put pressure on the program's budget. Officials noted the state is covering certain per'meal offsets for 2026'27 that reduce the charge families see, but the district still needs the local adjustment to stabilize operations.

Trustees asked about how students and families would be informed and heard descriptions of expanded meal offerings: a new sandwich line piloted at Lakeview that offers fresh fruit and vegetable choices daily and plans to expand fresh options to other campuses. The board approved the price change by a 5'00 vote.

What the vote means: Families who pay for lunch should expect a 25'cent increase next school year; the district said it will continue outreach to encourage families to apply for free or reduced benefits and to highlight menu improvements.