Schools hike meals by 25 cents
Increase due to rising food and fuel costs
By Sarah Daniels
Posted 6/13/08
Meals at Howard County public schools will cost an extra 25 cents next school year, thanks to the rising cost of food and fuel.
The Howard County Board of Education unanimously approved the price increase at its June 12 meeting, citing the need to offset the escalating costs of operating the school meals program.
The following new prices will take effect during the 2008-2009 school year.
The price of breakfast at all schools will rise from $1.50 to $1.75. Elementary school lunch will increase from $2.25 to $2.50, while middle and high school lunches will go from $2.75 to $3. The “signature” high school lunches will jump from $3.50 to $3.75.
At the June 12 meeting, Mary Klatko, who heads the system’s meals program, told the board that in the coming year food and supply costs are projected to increase by 10 to 20 percent over current costs.
In addition, the price of some foods are projected to escalate even more, she said. The price of corn, for example, is expected to double, she said.
The cost of producing a lunch in Howard County is projected to cost $3.02 next school year, Klatko said. The difference between lunch prices and the actual cost of the meal is supplemented through the sale of a la carte snack items, Klatko said.
School board member Diane Mikulis said the school food service operation is designed to break even and is not a revenue-maker for the system. Any shortfalls in the school lunch program are covered by the operating budget, Superintendent Sydney Cousin said.
After past price hikes, school officials have seen a decrease in about 300 students paying for school lunches, Klatko said. Many of the students who quit purchasing meals opted to enroll in the free and reduced-price meal program, which the system offers to low-income families.
An anticipated drop in student participation in the paid lunch program is factored into the new prices, said Raymond Brown, the schools’ chief operating officer.
Board member Sandra French said she feels the school lunch program is vital, since “good nutrition is critical for good thinking.”
“This is a balanced meal and it is still the best bargain in the county,” she said.
The Howard County Board of Education unanimously approved the price increase at its June 12 meeting, citing the need to offset the escalating costs of operating the school meals program.
The following new prices will take effect during the 2008-2009 school year.
The price of breakfast at all schools will rise from $1.50 to $1.75. Elementary school lunch will increase from $2.25 to $2.50, while middle and high school lunches will go from $2.75 to $3. The “signature” high school lunches will jump from $3.50 to $3.75.
At the June 12 meeting, Mary Klatko, who heads the system’s meals program, told the board that in the coming year food and supply costs are projected to increase by 10 to 20 percent over current costs.
In addition, the price of some foods are projected to escalate even more, she said. The price of corn, for example, is expected to double, she said.
The cost of producing a lunch in Howard County is projected to cost $3.02 next school year, Klatko said. The difference between lunch prices and the actual cost of the meal is supplemented through the sale of a la carte snack items, Klatko said.
School board member Diane Mikulis said the school food service operation is designed to break even and is not a revenue-maker for the system. Any shortfalls in the school lunch program are covered by the operating budget, Superintendent Sydney Cousin said.
After past price hikes, school officials have seen a decrease in about 300 students paying for school lunches, Klatko said. Many of the students who quit purchasing meals opted to enroll in the free and reduced-price meal program, which the system offers to low-income families.
An anticipated drop in student participation in the paid lunch program is factored into the new prices, said Raymond Brown, the schools’ chief operating officer.
Board member Sandra French said she feels the school lunch program is vital, since “good nutrition is critical for good thinking.”
“This is a balanced meal and it is still the best bargain in the county,” she said.
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