Sparta board approves higher school meal prices after district reports big drop in breakfast participation
June 08, 2026 | Sparta Area School District, School Districts, Wisconsin
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The Sparta Area School District board voted on June 8 to update student meal prices after nutrition staff presented participation and financial data showing a sharp decline in breakfast participation this school year.
Rob Preswood, the district's food service director, told the board that the district served more than 43,000 fewer breakfasts this year compared with the prior year, with roughly 38,600 of that decrease at elementary sites. He said about 16,000 fewer meals were served to students eligible for free and reduced price benefits after the district moved from universal free breakfast to charging 50¢ this year. "Breakfast is the most important meal of the day," Preswood said, and the drop both harms learning and reduces the federal and state reimbursement the district receives for meals.
Administration proposed reinstating pre‑COVID full‑price levels for elementary breakfast — raising the 4K–4 price from 50¢ to $2.00 (about $7.50 a week) — along with modest increases at secondary levels and for adult meals. Officials estimated the changes would generate roughly $63,000 in additional breakfast revenue and about $73,000 overall. Finance staff explained that Nutrition Services (fund 50) must operate without a deficit; as of May 31 the department expected an $85,000–$90,000 year‑end deficit before planned adjustments.
Board members asked about contracts (Head Start, St. John's), summer feeding revenue streams, and outreach to ensure eligible families complete free/reduced forms. Preswood said the district runs a summer meal program that produced meaningful participation and that direct certification from state records automatically enrolls many eligible families.
The board moved the meal‑pricing recommendation as presented, placing it on the consent agenda; the roll call vote was recorded as unanimous (7‑0). The price changes are now adopted and will be incorporated into the district's meal operations for the upcoming school year.
Rob Preswood, the district's food service director, told the board that the district served more than 43,000 fewer breakfasts this year compared with the prior year, with roughly 38,600 of that decrease at elementary sites. He said about 16,000 fewer meals were served to students eligible for free and reduced price benefits after the district moved from universal free breakfast to charging 50¢ this year. "Breakfast is the most important meal of the day," Preswood said, and the drop both harms learning and reduces the federal and state reimbursement the district receives for meals.
Administration proposed reinstating pre‑COVID full‑price levels for elementary breakfast — raising the 4K–4 price from 50¢ to $2.00 (about $7.50 a week) — along with modest increases at secondary levels and for adult meals. Officials estimated the changes would generate roughly $63,000 in additional breakfast revenue and about $73,000 overall. Finance staff explained that Nutrition Services (fund 50) must operate without a deficit; as of May 31 the department expected an $85,000–$90,000 year‑end deficit before planned adjustments.
Board members asked about contracts (Head Start, St. John's), summer feeding revenue streams, and outreach to ensure eligible families complete free/reduced forms. Preswood said the district runs a summer meal program that produced meaningful participation and that direct certification from state records automatically enrolls many eligible families.
The board moved the meal‑pricing recommendation as presented, placing it on the consent agenda; the roll call vote was recorded as unanimous (7‑0). The price changes are now adopted and will be incorporated into the district's meal operations for the upcoming school year.
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