Waunakee officials propose 50¢ school meal increase and end to outside food-service contracts

District administrators told the budget committee they are recommending a $0.50 increase for breakfast and lunch and plan to stop outside food-service contracts so the new local food-service leadership can focus on Waunakee students.

An administrator summarized the staffing and cost pressures and said the proposed change is partly meant to "prioritize Waunakee schools." She told the committee: "We are recommending discontinuing contractual relationships with any food service partner site outside our district," and said the 50¢ increase would put Fund 50 back into a positive position and provide flexibility for equipment replacements or program improvements.

Why it matters: staff said the food-service program experienced turnover in the director role after COVID and that local leadership is essential for menu and operational changes. The district currently serves several outside sites (Madison Country Day, Westside Christian and the Village Center among them) and administrators said those contracts no longer add clear financial benefit and are drawing local staff away from Waunakee students.

Committee members raised operational and community concerns: staff acknowledged contracts with Dane County-run meal sites run through Dec. 31 and urged long lead-time notices so the county can run a formal RFP to find alternate providers. Members also asked whether the 50¢ increase would cover only inflationary costs or also improve food quality; staff said the increase addresses food and labor inflation and that new leadership has been reviewing menus, breakfast offerings and procurement as part of a longer-term RFP rotation.

Staff recommended not renewing outside contracts and giving notice as soon as practicable, while ensuring the county and other partners have time to secure alternatives. The committee did not take a separate vote on contract termination during the meeting; any formal contract decisions will follow the district's procurement and notice procedures.