Home » News » Education
June 25. 2012 11:30PM
Some Nashua schools may see price hikes in cafeteria
NASHUA — Students may have to fork over a little more for their school meals this fall for the second year in a row.
The Board of Education will vote Wednesday on a proposal to increase the price of school lunch and breakfast, a change prompted because of a federal mandate for school districts that receive government reimbursements for free and reduced-price lunches.
The new law requires districts within the next few years to charge the same amount as federal lunch subsidies, about $2.72 per meal.
Jeanette Kimbell, Nashua’s food services director, is proposing to raise the lunch prices by 10 cents at the elementary schools and 25 cents at the high schools.
If approved by school officials, elementary lunches will increase from $2.25 to $2.35; high school lunches will increase from $2.50 to $2.75. Middle school lunches will remain at $2.50.
“The federal government has forced this action, although we don’t feel it is necessary,” Superintendent Mark Conrad said last week. “Unfortunately, every district is dealing with this issue right now.”
Just a few days ago, officials in Derry approved a five-cents increase for their school meals, though they are slightly cheaper at $2.20 for elementary lunches and $2.40 for middle school lunches.
Lunch prices in Nashua went up at the beginning of the 2011-2012 school year by a quarter at the elementary and middle schools, with high school prices remaining steady. Prior to last year, lunch prices had not increased since 2008.
In addition to lunch price increases, breakfast prices may also be on the rise, according to Kimbell’s proposal. She is asking for an increase of 25 cents for breakfast at all school levels, which would increase elementary prices to $1.25, middle school prices to $1.50 and high school prices to $1.75.
Of all the students who eat lunch in the Nashua School District, 71 percent buy their lunch through the school; 58 percent of the meals served are free or reduced-price, according to Kimbell.
Wednesday’s Board of Education meeting begins at 7 p.m. at Nashua High School North.
khoughton@newstote.com
The Board of Education will vote Wednesday on a proposal to increase the price of school lunch and breakfast, a change prompted because of a federal mandate for school districts that receive government reimbursements for free and reduced-price lunches.
The new law requires districts within the next few years to charge the same amount as federal lunch subsidies, about $2.72 per meal.
Jeanette Kimbell, Nashua’s food services director, is proposing to raise the lunch prices by 10 cents at the elementary schools and 25 cents at the high schools.
If approved by school officials, elementary lunches will increase from $2.25 to $2.35; high school lunches will increase from $2.50 to $2.75. Middle school lunches will remain at $2.50.
“The federal government has forced this action, although we don’t feel it is necessary,” Superintendent Mark Conrad said last week. “Unfortunately, every district is dealing with this issue right now.”
Just a few days ago, officials in Derry approved a five-cents increase for their school meals, though they are slightly cheaper at $2.20 for elementary lunches and $2.40 for middle school lunches.
Lunch prices in Nashua went up at the beginning of the 2011-2012 school year by a quarter at the elementary and middle schools, with high school prices remaining steady. Prior to last year, lunch prices had not increased since 2008.
In addition to lunch price increases, breakfast prices may also be on the rise, according to Kimbell’s proposal. She is asking for an increase of 25 cents for breakfast at all school levels, which would increase elementary prices to $1.25, middle school prices to $1.50 and high school prices to $1.75.
Of all the students who eat lunch in the Nashua School District, 71 percent buy their lunch through the school; 58 percent of the meals served are free or reduced-price, according to Kimbell.
Wednesday’s Board of Education meeting begins at 7 p.m. at Nashua High School North.
khoughton@newstote.com
- Aurore Eaton's Looking Back: A new garden cemetery for Manchester - 0
- Aurore Eaton's Looking Back: NH Fire Insurance has broad presence, shorter name - 0
- NH Fire Company knew how to celebrate an anniversary - 0
- Aurore Eaton's Looking Back: Prosperity in Manchester and a fireproof building to lead by example - 0
- Aurore Eaton's Looking Back: San Francisco burns, and New Hampshire Fire comes through - 0
- Aurore Eaton's Looking Back: The NH Fire Insurance Company gains a strong foothold - 0
- Aurore Eaton's Looking Back: Devastating fires provide opportunities to shine - 0
- Aurore Eaton's Looking Back: Manchester's worst fire strikes the heart of the city - 0
- Looking Back with Aurore Eaton: New Hampshire's first insurance company opens for business - 0
Aurore Eaton's Looking Back: A burial ground for the dead and a park for the living
READER COMMENTS: 0- Governor orders flags to fly at half-staff for Memorial Day - 0
- Woman accidentally backs car into husband in Rye, pins him to wall - 1
- Portsmouth drug raid nets four arrests for sale of heroin - 0
- Manchester Market clerk robbed by man armed with knife - 0
- McCafferty nominated to federal bench to succeed McAuliffe - 0
- Man who spent days under Salem woman's trailer recording sentenced to prison - 1
- Mother cow lures wayward steer back to Epping farm - 3
- Wanted: Shaun Springer - 0
- Man sought for attempting to lure girl into white van near Nashua school - 0
Police investigate death scene in Belmont
READER COMMENTS: 0| Follow us: | ||
 |
 |
 |
- Should schools do more to police food and beverages consumed at school?
- Yes
- 29%
- No
- 71%
- Total Votes: 112