Board approves modest meal price increases to avert lunch fund shortfall

The Stevens Point Area Public School Board voted to raise several meal prices Tuesday to shore up the school lunch fund after staff projected a $527,457 deficit for 2024–25.

Jackie, a business services presenter, told the board the increases are intended to avoid moving money from the district’s general fund into the meal fund and to keep the fund’s cash balance within federal limits. She presented recommended changes including adult breakfast from $3.00 to $3.50, elementary lunch from $2.10 to $2.40, middle-school lunch from $2.30 to $2.60, high-school lunch from $2.40 to $2.80, adult lunch from $4.00 to $5.00, and milk from $0.35 to $0.50.

Board members asked for details about the lunch program’s negative accounts and whether donations cover those balances. Jackie said donations typically cover about $20,000 per semester in negative balances and that the food service department contacts families and sets up payment plans when needed. A board member emphasized that free and reduced-price applications and counselor outreach are available to families who may qualify.

After discussion, a motion to adopt the recommended price increases was made, seconded and approved by the board. The board chair noted the increases had not been raised since the 2017–18 school year and that the recommended amounts remained at or below peer-district averages. The motion carried.