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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
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- Should schools do more to police food and beverages consumed at school?
- Yes
- 29%
- No
- 71%
- Total Votes: 112