Board approves small increase to student meal prices for FY27

The Mountain Home School District Board of Trustees voted to approve the district's FY27 student meal price increases following a statutorily required hearing. Trevor (S3), who presented the proposal, said the district used the state's Paid Lunch Equity (PLE) tool to calculate the adjustments and cited higher food costs as the main reason for the change.

“So for this year, we're looking at increasing the breakfast by 10¢,” Trevor said, explaining the PLE input and recommended rates. He gave the board specific figures: elementary breakfast to $1.08 and secondary breakfast to $2.05; lunch increases of 20¢ to $3.65 (elementary) and $3.85 (secondary). He also reported percent increases (elementary breakfast ~5.9%, secondary ~5.1%; elementary lunch ~5.8%, secondary ~5.5%).

Chair (S1) called for public comment; none were registered or present online, and the board closed the hearing before taking the motion to approve. The vote was taken by voice with the board recording “Aye” on approval. The district noted the adult milk price remains unchanged and that any state- or USDA-required adjustments were followed in the calculation.