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Mansfield Board votes to raise paid meal prices for 2026–27 school year
Summary
The Mansfield Board of Education voted June 11 to raise paid breakfast and lunch prices for the 2026–27 school year to better match USDA paid-equity calculations and rising food and labor costs; the state budget provision for universal free breakfast was noted but implementation guidance is pending.
The Mansfield Board of Education voted June 11 to raise paid school meal prices for the 2026–27 school year to keep the district’s meal program financially aligned with federal paid-equity requirements and rising food and labor costs.
Chef Mariah Papaleski Tilly told the board the district has held breakfast prices steady while gradually increasing lunch prices and that a modest increase would help the food-service program cover higher supply and staffing costs. She also said the governor’s recently signed state budget includes a provision to fund universal free breakfast statewide but that the district has not yet received implementation guidance from the state.
After brief questions from board members about past breakfast-price stability and federal reimbursement rates, the board considered a motion to set the following paid prices for 2026–27: elementary breakfast $2.00, elementary lunch $3.75; middle-school breakfast $2.25, middle-school lunch $4.00; high-school breakfast $2.50, high-school lunch $4.25. The motion was moved, seconded and recorded as passing.
Superintendent Candace Morell framed the change as part of broader budget and participation considerations, noting that increased participation tied to universal breakfast could help food-service revenue. Board members asked for context about how federal reimbursements affect paid and reduced-price categories; staff explained reimbursements are calculated monthly across free, reduced and paid categories and that other revenue sources such as catering and a la carte sales also support the program.
The board did not record a roll-call tally in the transcript beyond the motion carrying. The district said the change will take effect in the 2026–27 academic year; staff will provide families with final guidance on payments and any state-provided offsets once the state releases implementation details for the universal-breakfast budget provision.
