Board approves 2026–27 fee schedule amid debate over meal and activity pricing

The Oaks Public School District 41 board voted to adopt its 2026–27 fee schedule after discussion about activity-admission and school-meal pricing and the program’s finances.

District staff recommended changes to activity admission pricing (the transcript references prior pricing of "6 and 9" and a proposed structure of "5 and $10") and said adult and student meal prices would increase to narrow a growing shortfall. Staff estimated program costs had increased by about $50,000 and reported a substantial drop in lunches served — "I think it was 11,000 meals," a staff member said — while noting that number was approximate.

The presenter said a per-meal charge near $8.20 would be required to meet full cost recovery under the district's accounting assumptions, but the district does not yet know the federal reimbursement rate for next year; staff are scheduled to attend training at the end of July to learn reimbursement details. "We don't know what our reimbursement rate is from the federal government," the presenter said.

Board members debated the effect of increases on families and noted existing measures — an angel fund and payment plans — to assist families who fall behind. The district also noted that state-level coverage of eligibility (described in the packet as covering up to 225% of the poverty threshold) has raised reported free-and-reduced counts.

After discussion, a motion to approve the 2026–27 fee schedule as presented was called and approved by roll call. The board also scheduled its next regular meeting for Aug. 18, 2026, and set a legally required tax-levy hearing for Sept. 15, 2026.

The board closed the meeting by announcing staff and counsel are finalizing mill-levy figures and that an approval at 2% (as described in the meeting) will be shared with the public once details are confirmed.