Board amends proposed school-lunch price increase to 15 cents; sponsorship vendor fails to secure contract majority

The Middletown Township Public School District board voted on consent items that included business-office items and a change to proposed school-lunch pricing.

After extended discussion about food quality, equity and vendor data, the board approved the consent agenda with an amendment reducing the proposed food-service price increase from 25 cents to a 15-cent increase. Multiple board members had said the smaller increase aligned with prior committee discussion and provided incremental revenue for the food-service fund without risking affordability for families who pay cash for meals.

Separately, the board considered a first‑renewal sponsorship/promoter contract under which the vendor would retain a commission (the contract as discussed pays 30% of gross ad revenue to the vendor). Committee materials noted about $10,000 in sponsorship revenue in the vendor’s first year; board members expressed concern about the 30% commission rate, the absence of a published rate card, and potential negative effects on PTA/booster fundraising if the district monetized assets. During roll call the sponsorship contract did not receive the votes required for a contract award and administration reported the contract therefore did not pass.

Administration said the sponsorship vendor is commission-based and that any advertising proposals would be presented for board approval before placement. Board members asked administration to provide the vendor’s collateral, rate structure and examples of sales activity before the board makes further decisions on monetizing signage and scoreboard assets.

No price changes affecting free- or reduced-price lunches were recorded in the public discussion; board members emphasized that program eligibility would remain in place and that outreach to families and a vendor survey would guide any future service-quality changes.