U-46 plans to increase lunch prices by 20 cents
Elgin Area School District U-46 plans to increase lunch prices by at least 20 cents for the upcoming school year.
A number of factors, including a recent surge in fuel costs, played into the decision for the increase, executive director of operations Jeff King told the board.
The district has spent 37 percent more on fuel than it did during the 2006-07 school year, King said.
"The price of food itself has increased 8 to 10 percent," he said.
Surveying other area districts, King said lunch prices are between $1.75 and 3.10. U-46 will now charge $2.30.
"Most of them plan on a 10- to 50-cent increase (next school year)," he said.
Despite the price increase, U-46 will not be able to afford to replace its kitchen equipment next year, King said.
Even after instituting cost-saving measures like consolidated delivery trips, the district's food services program is struggling with its budget, he said.
Instead of forgoing needed replacements on equipment, board member Karen Carney suggested a higher lunch price increase.
"Let's not get ourselves into an unnecessarily difficult situation," she warned.
"We don't want to have to do this twice," board member Joyce Fountain agreed.
King and district chief financial officer John Prince told the board they will go back and look at the practicality of a larger increase.
According to federal guidelines, a family of four with an annual household income of $27,560 qualified for free lunch during the 2008-09 school year.
Federal guidelines state children of a family of four with an annual household income of $39,220 or less qualify for reduced-price meals.
U-46 parents or guardians whose income qualifies their children for free or reduced-price lunches should complete the form sent to all homes and return it to their children's school.
Additional copies of the application form are available at the principal's office in each school or by visiting the Food and Nutrition Services Office, 355 E. Chicago St. in Elgin.
Last August the school board approved a 10-cent lunch price increase from $2 to $2.10.
The school board will vote on the increase April 28.