Meal prices to increase at schools

Published 10:18 am Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Students at Austin Public Schools will be seeing higher meal prices next year for breakfast and lunch, the first increase in four years.

The Austin School Board approved the 10-cent increases at their board meeting Monday night.

Prices for adult meals will not increase next year.

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Beginning in 2009-10, breakfasts will cost 85 cents for elementary students; 95 cents for middle school and high school students; and $1.40 for adults. Students who qualify for reduced meals receive free breakfasts.

Lunch prices will cost $1.80 for elementary students; $2 for middle school and high school students; and $3 for adults. Reduced lunches will be 40 cents per student.

The price for milk will also increase 5 cents to 40 cents per carton.

“We have not had to raise prices for four years,” said Lori Volz, director of finance and operations.

“We are one of the rare districts that has been able to keep them at this level for this long.”

Although the increases will generate $25,000 in revenue, inflation will account for more than that amount, she said. Higher food prices have prompted the district to hike their costs for meals.

Volz explained that districts are able to offer meals at affordable prices because of state and federal commodities.

The board also approved an increase in admission fees for athletic events. Adult prices will increase $1 to $7 per adult; senior citizens age 65 and over may obtain a courtesy pass through the school district.

Students from out of the district will pay $5; Austin High School students and staff are free with I.D. badge.

School board chairman Don Fox said the district will now match the Big 9 Conference’s rates.