Dist. 300 mulls 50-cent increase in lunch price

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Community Unit District 300 may raise the cost of its paid lunch from $2 to $2.50.

The fee hike would help cover the cost of lunchroom monitors, but some District 300 school board members are worried the increase will discourage parents from buying their children's lunches at school.

While employees of the district's food service contractor, Aramark, monitor elementary school lunchrooms, the district pays teachers to supervise the lunchroom in its middle and high schools.

The revenue the district now receives from its paid lunches is not enough to cover the cost of supervision, Chief Financial Officer Cheryl Crates said.

This year, the district expects its food service account to be about $377,000 in the red. Without the cost of supervision, the fund would have a small surplus, according to Crates.

Even with the 50-cent increase and an additional $300,000 in revenue, Crates estimates the account will still run a roughly $21,000 deficit next year.

But the district has not raised the price of its paid lunch since 2004 -- even while running a deficit in its food service account -- because district officials promised not to raise the price when voters approved a tax hike in 2006.

Still, some board members questioned whether a 50-cent -- or 25 percent -- jump was too much for one year.

The increase would put the price of District 300's paid lunch above that of neighboring Huntley Unit District 158 and Elgin Area School District U-46, which charge $1.75 and $2.10, respectively.

"We're putting the cost of supervision on the backs of our kids," board member Mary Warren said Monday.

Warren said a 25-cent increase would be easier for parents to absorb.

A 25-cent increase would push next year's projected deficit to about $161,000, Crates said.

Other board members said $2.50 would still be a bargain for a lunch that includes an entrée, vegetables, fruit and milk.

"I'm just thinking it's a heck of a deal for $2.50," board President Joe Stevens said.

The board is scheduled to vote on the price of paid lunches in May.

Crates has also recommended the district raise the price of milk from 40 cents to 50 cents; all other fees would remain the same next year.