Board approves transfers and higher adult meal prices to cover school nutrition shortfall

The RSU 24 board authorized transfers among cost centers and approved higher adult meal prices as part of a package of actions to stabilize the district's school nutrition program.

Nutrition and finance staff reported a FY2025-26 nutrition enterprise shortfall of $124,161.20 in addition to $135,000 previously transferred from the general fund, for a total funding need of $259,161.20. Staff recommended transferring unspent wages and benefits from the transportation cost center into the food-service transfer line and then into the nutrition enterprise fund to reconcile the year'end shortfall. A board member moved to authorize the treasurer to transfer amounts among cost centers in keeping with Article 16 approved by voters in May 2025; the motion was seconded and carried.

Separately, staff recommended increasing adult meal prices because state guidance requires adult meals be charged at least at actual per-meal cost. The board approved raising adult lunch to $7.50 and breakfast to $4.00; the nutrition presenter said the district previously served roughly $12,578 in adult meal sales and that, "the proposed prices will allow us to cover" the program's costs. The presenter also reported the summer-meal expansion served 3,256 breakfasts and 3,401 lunches and that reimbursements totaled $299,467 while expenses were $25,810.

The board did not specify exact roll-call tallies in the public transcript for one or both motions; minutes will include the official vote record.