Board approves 2026–27 meal-price increases and one‑time May staff supplement

The Bossier Parish School Board finance committee voted May 7 to approve proposed 2026–27 school meal prices and separately approved a one‑time employee supplement payable May 20, 2026.

Chief Financial Officer Nisha Bamberg presented the meal‑price proposal that moves student breakfasts to $2 and lunches to $3 at elementary, middle and high schools (the presentation explained cafeterias do not keep change and the district prefers whole‑dollar pricing). Bamberg said the increase will have a minimal budgetary impact because only five schools currently have paying student populations; those schools historically run losses and the district is analyzing school‑level meal profitability.

Board member Mr. Bullard moved to approve the meal‑price changes; Miss Brotherton seconded. The chair called for a verbal and then electronic vote. The transcript records the motion carried with one nay; the individual who voted no was not named in the recorded exchange.

On agenda item 2.5, the committee approved one‑time supplement guidelines for a summer sendoff payable on May 20, 2026: $2,000 for professional staff, $1,300 for support staff and $200 for crossing guards. Eligibility requires employees to be active on May 1, with prorated payments for hires after the start of the year and consideration for sabbaticals. Mr. Falting moved to approve the supplement and Mr. Bertrand seconded; that motion carried with no recorded opposition.

Board members clarified that the May supplement is separate from state‑level Amendment Three discussions and emphasized the district’s intent to support employees as they head into summer. The committee recorded the approvals; the meal‑price motion was recorded as having one nay but individual roll‑call votes were not read into the transcript.