School District's Lunch Prices Will Increase 10 Cents

The price of a school lunch will rise 10 cents throughout Nazareth Area School District's six schools this upcoming school year.

School board members voted 6-1 to approve the 10-cent hike, which during the board's June 20 meeting.

The discussion Monday night was much briefer.

Board member and treasurer Thomas Maher cast the lone “no” vote on both the 10-cent increase and the $2.07 million food services budget as a whole.

Following the meeting, Maher reiterated a previous statement that the food services budget should be “self-sustaining" and should not dip into the district's general fund.

However, board vice president Maurice Heller made special note that the current food services operation has greatly improved over the last few years despite losing more than $100,000 in cuts, he said.

Although he was one of the six "yes" votes, Heller was reluctant to add costs on families already struggling financially.

“I don't think that this is the year to do that,” he said.

Under the new lunch rates, effective at the start of the 2011-2012 school year, the cost for lunch at the three elementary schools and the will be $1.95.  and students will pay $2.20.

The cost of an adult lunch will remain at $3.50, and the cost of milk and chocolate milk will stay at 50 cents.

Under federal law -- specifically, the Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 -- the price of school lunches must be increased by at least 5 cents next school year for students who pay full price.

Board president Lorin Bradley and board member Linda McDonald were absent from Monday's meeting.