Committee approves $13,500 teacher grant, raises adult lunch price to $5 and adopts policy updates

The Berkshire Hills Regional School District school committee on March 29 approved three formal actions: a teacher-initiated grant of $13,500, an increase in the adult lunch price from $4 to $5, and several policy updates on second reading.

The committee heard a brief presentation on a teacher-led grant routed through the Tides Foundation and Next Generation Learning Challenges, recommending $13,500 to support high-school visits to schools in Kentucky. The committee moved to approve the grant; a roll-call vote was taken and the motion carried unanimously.

Members then considered a request to raise the adult lunch price from $4 to $5. Administration explained the change is required to ensure the adult price is above the federal reimbursement threshold (stated in the meeting as $4.57). Committee members asked whether the district could subsidize the cost; staff replied that food-service constraints and reimbursement rules limit options. The committee voted unanimously to increase the adult lunch price to $5.

On policy, the committee reviewed attorney recommendations on Title IX–related policy language and agreed to accept selected policies on second reading (referenced in the packet as AC A, B and variants). The committee also scheduled first readings for two additional policy items (AC and ACA) to return at a future meeting.

Outcomes and tallies: the motions discussed at the March 29 meeting were recorded as carried by unanimous roll call; the meeting transcript records committee members Bill, Jason, Bonnie, Sarah, Phil, Diane, Cory and Rich voting in favor during roll calls.