Treynor board approves 25-cent increase to school meals to shore up nutrition program

The Treynor Community School District Board of Directors unanimously voted June 9 to raise school meal prices by $0.25 for the 2025–26 school year to help sustain the district’s nutrition services program.

Board President Brandon Vorthmann opened the special meeting; Board member Mr. Stogdill moved the meal-pricing motion and Board member Mr. Christensen seconded it. The motion carried on a unanimous vote of the three members present (Mr. Vorthmann, Mr. Stogdill and Mr. Christensen); two members were absent.

The board’s action followed a Nutrition Services report that outlined operational pressures: evolving state nutrition standards (including new sodium targets), a low percentage of students qualifying for free and reduced-price lunches that reduces federal reimbursement, and current meal pricing notably below surrounding districts and Iowa averages. The report recommended a $0.25 price increase to better align local prices and to mitigate potential program deficits.

The report also described program changes intended to improve participation and quality: the district has moved to a five‑week cycle menu with multiple choices, invested in an app for real‑time menu and allergen updates, expanded scratch‑cooking initiatives that have drawn positive student feedback, and used a local Iowa Farms food grant to purchase local products. The nutrition director was noted as the State Nutrition Director of the Year.

Board discussion, as reflected in the district’s meeting record, emphasized the financial rationale for the increase and the district’s goals to grow breakfast participation and continue scratch‑cooking initiatives. The vote took place as part of the meeting’s action items and was recorded as unanimous. No dollar amounts for current or projected meal-revenue shortfalls were provided in the record.