Stratham board approves small increase to school breakfast and lunch prices

The Stratham School Board approved modest increases to student meal prices for the 2026–27 school year after administrators outlined a projected food service shortfall.

Administrators recommended keeping milk at $0.75, increasing breakfast from $2.25 to $2.35 and raising lunch from $3.60 to $3.85. The food service manager said rising food costs are the primary driver of the projected deficit; the district had planned for a $30,000 loss and now projects about a $39,000 shortfall.

Board members discussed how federal reimbursement formulas influence pricing and noted that an increase reduces but does not eliminate the projected loss. Staff also said unanticipated revenues (for example, energy rebate checks) can be accepted and expended after a public hearing, and that some districts share food service staffing to reduce losses.

After discussion the board voted to accept the meal prices as proposed.