- April 24, 2024
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Cafeteria lunch prices will increase 10 cents per year for the next three school years.
For the first time in more than a decade, cafeteria fare in Flagler County will be getting a bit more expensive.
Following a unanimous School Board vote Tuesday, June 5, school lunch prices will rise 10 cents every year for the next three school years, falling in line with a new state requirement.
According to Food Service Director Angie Torres, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 dictates that students paying full price for lunch have to begin paying at least 10 cents more in 2012-2013. Torres proposed a one-time increase of 25 cents but, prompted by School Board member Andy Dance, the board opted for the 10-cent incremental structure, instead.
“We have to go up in price,” Torres said. “(But) we can do it reasonably slowly, reasonably painlessly … and reasonably — period.”
The increase will affect 36% of the district students. The other 64% receive free or reduced lunch and will not see an increase.
Dance said he favored a little-by-little approach, “so that we don’t impose a financial hardship in one motion.”
Board Chairwoman Sue Dickinson agreed. “If a parent has four kids, that’s an extra dollar (a day),” she said. “A dollar is a lot of money these days.”
Currently, Flagler elementary schoolers pay $1.50 for lunch. Middle school students pay $1.75, and high school students pay $2.
“Ten cents,” Dickinson added. “It’s still an increase, but they’re forcing us to do it.”
Other upcoming changes to the school lunch program include an increased fruit/vegetable focus, an increase in whole-grain products and a decreased portion of calories and sodium in all food items offered.
Torres also specified that revenues form a la carte sales, which she called a “once-substantial funding mechanism,” has been almost cut in half in the past six years. In 2006-2007, Flagler schools made more than $1.2 million in a la carte revenues. This year, the district made about $669,000.
Also at the June 5 meeting, four Flagler students were expelled by the School Board for selling drugs, starting fights and playing with fire. To see a breakdown of each expulsion, visit www.palm coastobserver.com.
