Howard County public school students and staff will have to fork over more money during the 2006-07 school year for breakfast and lunch.
The higher prices are necessary to cover increased operating expenses for the Food and Nutrition Service Program, said Mary Klatko, program administrator.
“Salaries are up 6.5 percent, health care benefits are up 9 percent … and the cost of milk is also up 42.6 percent,” Klatko said.
The School Board approved the new meal prices during its Thursday meeting at the Department of Education in Ellicott City.
Klatko also said transportation and fuel surcharges for deliveries cost $8.50 per stop and may change depending on fuel prices. Bids for food and supplies also have increased between15 percent and 30 percent from last year.
According to a financial report submitted to the School Board by Klatko, the Food and Nutrition Service Program reported a loss of $361,583 for fiscal 2006. That number is down $84,384 from fiscal 2005.
For a school lunch at the elementary level, the price will increase from $1.75 to $2 during the upcoming school year. At the secondary level, the amount increases to $2.50 from the current $2.
School Board member Mary Kay Sigaty said it was clear that last year?s increase of 25 cents at the elementary and secondary levels for the school meals was “not enough” to cover operating expenses for the meal program.
Raymond Brown, chief operating officer for the school system, said he wanted the public to know that the increased meal prices were “not related” to changes in the school system?s recently passed wellness policy that eliminates sugary food and drinks during the school day and calls for more physical activity to be incorporated into students? schedules.
ON THE MENU
Howard County Public Schools? lunch and breakfast prices for the 2006-07 school year are:
» Elementary ? $2
» Secondary ? $2.50
» Signature Lunch ? $3.25
» Coaches Corner Lunch ? $3.25
» Adult Regular ? $3.65
» Adult Signature Lunch ? $4
» Adult Coaches Corner Lunch ? $4
» Breakfast ? $1.25
» Milk ? 50 cents
? Howard County Public Schools
