Breakfast and lunch prices for the next school year have increased across the board in York County School Division.
At its Monday meeting, the school board voted 5-0 to approve the higher meal prices, which tack on 10 cents each for elementary, middle, high and adult lunch prices. The only unchanging prices are those for reduced breakfast and lunch at all school levels.
The changes are required because of the division’s participation in the National School Lunch Program, which is aimed to ensure sufficient payment from students who do not pay reduced prices or receive free meals.
All schools that charged less than $2.65 for paid lunches in the 2013-14 school year were required to increase meal prices by a provided 4.27 percent inflation rate, but federal law caps the increase at 10 cents per year.
Under the requirements, lunch prices increased to $2.45 at the elementary level and $2.55 in middle and high schools. Breakfast prices increased to $1.35 in elementary school and $1.45 in middle and high schools. Milk prices remain steady at 55 cents per carton, and the reduced rates remained the same at 30 cents and 40 cents for breakfast and lunch, respectively.
School Board Chairman Mark Medford said he remains disturbed the prices are required to increase annually due to mandates. At some point, he said he believes fewer families will pay for the lunches so participation should be continually monitored.
Related Coverage:
