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Board approves modest meal-price increases for 2026–27 school year
Summary
Citing rising food and labor costs, the board approved modest increases to student meal prices for 2026–27: breakfast $1.75, elementary lunch $2.70 and middle/high lunch $2.80. Food-service participation and fund balances were discussed.
The South Central Community School Corporation board approved a recommendation to raise student meal prices for the 2026–27 school year after administrators outlined rising food and labor costs and comparisons with neighboring districts.
The district proposed increasing breakfast to $1.75, elementary lunch to $2.70 and middle/high school lunch to $2.80. Administrators described the increase as modest compared with neighboring districts, some of which charged around $3 per meal. The district receives federal reimbursements for meals and relies in part on a la carte sales to bolster food-service margins.
Officials said breakfast participation is small — roughly 200 students or about 20% — while lunch participation typically ranges 60–65%. The food-service cash balance was cited as approximately $222,000; administrators estimated monthly operating expenses at about $35,000 and noted state rules that require keeping three to six months of operating expenses on hand, and a spend-down plan when the balance exceeds policy limits.
Board members asked about menu options, a la carte offerings, participation trends including effects of work-based learning and the COVID-era universal free-meal period. After discussion, a motion to increase the meal prices was made, seconded and carried by voice vote.
