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Suffield board OKs $0.10 school lunch increase, discusses free breakfast funding
Summary
The Suffield Board of Education approved a $0.10 across‑the‑board increase to school meal prices for 2026–27 (about $18 per student annually) and discussed plans to offer free breakfast next year while noting future funding is not guaranteed.
The Suffield Board of Education voted 6–1 on June 15 to increase all student meal prices by $0.10 for the 2026–27 school year, a change administration said amounts to roughly $18 per student annually.
District administration told the board the USDA pricing tool recommends a minimum lunch price of $4.16 and said current meal prices “remain on the lower end compared to surrounding districts.” The administration also cited rising food and labor costs and higher wage pressures as reasons for the adjustment.
Board members discussed implementation details and the district’s plan to provide free breakfast in the coming school year. Administration said breakfast is expected to be free, but cautioned that future funding is not guaranteed and that the district still needed to establish a price schedule for accounting and reporting purposes.
The motion to approve the $0.10 increase (MOTION #26‑73) was moved by Debra Dudack and seconded by Board Chair Maureen Sattan. Dudack, James Mol, Dustin Rose, Gianna Rossi, Maureen Sattan and Greg Sparzo voted in favor; Brian Fry opposed. The motion passed 6–1.
Board members also noted the district’s intent to remain competitive on wages to attract and retain food-service staff. No final long‑term funding source for free breakfast was identified during the meeting.
The board moved on to other agenda items after the vote; the minutes state the item will appear in the official minutes subject to approval at the July 13, 2026 meeting.
