Suffield Board raises school lunch prices, approves five‑year bus contract and authorizes roof and solar bids

Suffield — The Suffield Board of Education on June 15 approved several operational measures aimed at stabilizing school services and preparing capital projects for bidding. The board voted 6–1 to raise all meal prices by $0.10 for the 2026–27 school year, approved a five‑year transportation contract with M&J Bus Company, and certified final plans and cost estimates for both a high‑school roof replacement and a photovoltaic project for bidding.

Board Chair Maureen Sattan called the meeting to order at 6:34 p.m. and the board reviewed the food service budget before voting on meal prices. Administration said the proposed $0.10 increase equates to roughly $18 per student annually and noted that rising food and labor costs — including wage increases to remain competitive above the minimum wage — are driving the recommendation. The USDA pricing tool was cited, with a recommended minimum lunch price of $4.16; administrators said the district is required to make progress toward that minimum. The board also discussed plans to offer free breakfast in the coming year while acknowledging that ongoing funding for free breakfast is not guaranteed.

On the meal price motion (MOTION #26-73), Debra Dudack moved and Maureen Sattan seconded. The motion passed 6–1; Board member Brian Fry recorded the lone opposing vote.

The board also approved a five‑year transportation contract extension with M&J Bus Company (MOTION #26-74). District administration said the agreement includes a 14% increase from FY26 to FY27 and annual increases of approximately 4–5% thereafter; the district supplies fuel, and labor was described as the primary cost driver. The updated contract language, prepared with legal counsel, includes stronger service‑performance protections and fleet age requirements. James Mol moved the motion and Maureen Sattan seconded; the vote was unanimous, 7–0.

Administrators presented final plans, project manuals and a professional cost estimate for a roof replacement at Suffield High School and for a photovoltaic project; both sets of documents are dated 06/04/2026 and were prepared to Level 3 of ASTM International Standard E1557 (UNIFORMAT II). The board certified those documents for bidding (MOTION #26-75 for the roof; MOTION #26-76 for the photovoltaic work). Both certifications passed unanimously, 7–0. The board noted that bid documents will be reviewed by the Connecticut Department of Administrative Services and that additional approvals are required from the Permanent Building Commission, building inspector, fire marshal, health department and ADA/504 compliance officer before work may proceed.

Next steps: staff will submit bidding documents for the roof and photovoltaic projects for the required state and local reviews. Meeting minutes are subject to approval at the board’s July 13, 2026 meeting.