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Board keeps school meal prices steady for 2026–27 amid federal waiver eligibility
Summary
Food Service Director Jan Swander told the board ZCS qualifies for a Paid Lunch Equity waiver if its food service account had a zero or positive balance as of June 30, 2025; trustees voted 4-0 to keep breakfast and lunch prices unchanged for 2026–27.
Food Service Director Jan Swander recommended the district maintain current school meal pricing for the 2026–27 school year and explained how ZCS qualifies for the Paid Lunch Equity (PLE) waiver under federal program rules if the food-service account had a zero or positive balance on June 30, 2025.
"There has been a waiver for the past six years that allows schools to bypass the Paid Lunch Equity (PLE) requirement of NSLP. The waiver will be offered again if a school food service account has a zero or positive balance as of June 30, 2025, which is true for ZCS," Swander said. She recommended retaining prices that have not changed since the 2019–2020 school year.
The board approved the recommendation by unanimous vote. The district will charge $1.40 for breakfast at all levels, $2.65 for elementary lunch, $2.85 for secondary lunch, and $3.35 for the ZCHS premium meal option; a la carte items will be priced based on distributor costs.
