North Polk Comm School District board approves 2026–27 fee and meal price increases

The North Polk Comm School District board on a 5-0 vote approved a package of miscellaneous fee and meal price changes for the 2026–27 school year after staff said input costs have increased across food and technology.

District staff outlined the recommended changes: a $15 increase to registration/online subscription fees (bringing transitional kindergarten to $40, elementary to $50, middle school to $60 and high school to $70); a $0.25 rise for breakfast and a $0.30 rise for lunch (staff described the lunch increase as under 10 percent but larger than prior incremental steps); instrument rental fees would increase from $65 per semester to $80 and percussion rental would rise to $40; Chromebook replacement charges were recommended at $370 (chargers to remain $15 and carrying cases to increase to $25); the district also reported a cost reduction from $176 to $70 for certain touchscreen replacements after finding a lower‑priced vendor.

Michael (district staff) said the increases align the district with regional peers and respond to roughly 10 percent increases in food costs over recent years. The board voted to adopt the proposed schedule after discussion and a motion by Kyle, seconded by Holly.

Board members also heard that the district's outstanding lunch balances are higher than usual — Anita Miller, director of nutrition, reported roughly $19,000 in unpaid lunch charges and encouraged families to pay balances over the summer.

The fee schedule will be applied for 2026–27; the board did not attach conditions to the approval and indicated staff will notify families of the changes.