School board approves 50¢ lunch increase, authorizes $725,521 for high school roof and OKs overnight trips

The Merrimack Valley School Board on June 1 approved a series of routine and substantive measures, including a 50¢ increase in school lunch prices, acceptance of Education Freedom Account rates for 2026–27 and authorization of $725,521 from the maintenance expendable trust to repair the high school roof.

Food-service and finance staff recommended the 50¢ increase, noting modeling in the packet and a PLE tool recommendation for the change. "The PLE tool is recommending the 50¢ increase with a 40¢ carryover," said Sam, who reviewed the finance materials and comparative impacts to families. Wendy, who provided specific cafeteria rates, said the proposed prices would be "49¢ for paid lunch, $4.25 for reduced lunch, and $4.74 for free lunches." Board member Amanda moved the increase and David seconded; the motion passed after a voice vote with two members recorded as opposing and at least one abstention.

The board also voted to set EFA rates for the 2026–27 school year after correcting a typographical year error in the packet. The vote to adopt the EFA (Education Freedom Account) rates was moved and seconded and carried by voice vote with one abstention recorded.

Under new-business action from the public hearing, the board approved drawing $725,521 from the maintenance expendable trust to repair the high school roof. Facilities contractor Fred described the scope: work will start June 22 and focus on the first-floor roof (excluding the gym and certain second-story sections), with a required completion date of Aug. 7. "This new roof is guaranteed for 25 years," Fred said. Board members asked timeline and life-expectancy questions during discussion before approving the appropriation.

Board members also approved the overnight-trips list, which includes an 8th-grade field trip to Camp Cody and a planned international trip to Greece that will be run through an international school-travel organization. Staff warned the Greece trip estimate was "$1,400 to $1,700 per family," prompting members to note affordability concerns before approving the list.

Routine consent items passed as well: acceptance of the finance report, approval of minutes from May 4 (with two abstentions noted), reapproval of the annual data governance manual, and acceptance of manifest and journal entries. The board added action from a public hearing to the evening's agenda at the start of the meeting after discovering it had been omitted.

The meeting included multiple informational reports and celebratory items: district presenters highlighted state testing gains — notably middle-school growth that exceeded state averages in several grades and subjects — and superintendent and staff recognized retirements and community events. The board confirmed committee schedules and a July SAU training for July 20 at 5:30 p.m.

Next steps: staff will proceed with the roof procurement and oversee contractor scheduling, implement the revised cafeteria prices for the coming period as directed by finance and food-service staff, and follow up on details for the international trip logistics and affordability options.