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Board approves small lunch-price increase for 2026-27; free meals continue at several schools
Summary
Trustees approved a 20-cent increase to middle- and high-school paid lunches for 2026-27, citing USDA and Indiana Department of Education paid-lunch equity guidance; free breakfast and lunch remain available at multiple schools under the Community Eligibility Provision.
The Monroe County Community School Corporation board voted July 28 to raise paid lunch prices by 20 cents at the middle- and high-school levels for the 2026-27 school year after staff said the change responds to federal and state paid-lunch equity guidance.
"The price increases this year impact middle school lunch and high school lunch with an increase to each of 20¢ per lunch price," Dr. Henderson told trustees, and he highlighted schools that will continue to offer free breakfast and lunch through the Community Eligibility Provision: Arlington, Bloomington Graduation School, Clear Creek, Fairview, Grandview, Highland Park, and Templeton. Trustees discussed ways community members can help offset impacts, including donations to lunch funds; the motion to approve the meal prices passed unanimously at the meeting.
CFO Matt Erwin noted child-nutrition accounting and recent efforts to make the child nutrition fund whole after federal requirements demanded correction; he praised the child nutrition staff for managing the fund. Trustees emphasized awareness of national headwinds that may affect meal access and urged donations or other community support to help families who might struggle to absorb the small price bump.
