Student lunch prices will increase by 30 cents for the upcoming school year.
The change was discussed at last month’s Gilmer County Board of Education work session and unanimously approved at its regular meeting.
The lunch price for elementary students will be $2.45, while middle school and high school students will see their price raised to $2.60. Even with the increase, the county’s weighted average for student lunches is $.52 below the United States Department of Agriculture’s recommendation.
“The reasoning behind this, is basically we have not increased these costs since before COVID,” nutrition director Patricia Partin said. “We’ve kept it the same and didn’t want to increase the cost.
“As our plate cost (to the school system) is increasing, I feel like although we are OK, the USDA would like our weighted average to be $3.05. Right now if we don’t change, we’re at $2.23. We don’t have to change, but I feel like if we go in increments, it will be a lot easier with these recommended increases. With the increases, our weighted average will be $2.53.”
An individual lunch costs the school system $3.83. With the increase to student lunch prices, the district will break even once it receives reimbursements from the state.
Additionally, Gilmer Schools are losing some state benefits.
“We’ve had a waiver since COVID for a total of 55 cents,” Partin said. “That was 15 cents for breakfast and 40 cents for lunch. That waiver is going away. They haven’t officially said what our (new) reimbursement is going to be from the state. Plus with our entitlements, they’re giving us less money to help out with our grocery costs and produce.
“If we do this, it will be easier to get to the USDA’s recommendation slowly instead of a big jump.”
Partin noted that Gilmer Schools will still rank below its neighboring districts in lunch prices even with the increase.
“I appreciate you doing everything you can to keep it as low as possible for our families and working folks, but unfortunately, inflation is hitting us all,” said superintendent Dr. Brian Ridley.
Adult lunches are also set to increase by $.50. Staff members will now pay $4.25 for lunch, and the cost is $4.75 for visitors.
Breakfast remains free to all Gilmer students. Applications for free lunches are available at Gilmer schools.com/district/nutrition.