by KARI BLURTON
Hays Post

USD 489 Director of Nutrition Services Jessica Younker is recommending the Board of Education increase elementary school lunches 5 cents and middle and high school lunches 10 cents to prevent the district from having to subsidize the currently self-funded food service program with more than $15,000.

At Monday’s work session, Younker said the increase is needed due to a federal requirement that puts USD 489 short of the federal free reimbursement rate formula.

“Our average weighted prices is supposed to be $2.70 and right now we are $2.58, which means we have to raise our prices or the district has to supplement the food service program,” Younker said. “I’m recommending … the minimum price increase to be basically the minimum burden on parents.”

She adding next year prices will need to be increased 10 cents for all grades to get to the required free reimbursement rate.

Younker said she could raise the lunch fees 15 cents now to avoid nother increase next year but wanted to phase-in the increase instead and keep breakfast and adult lunch prices the same.

The board asked Younker to come back to next week’s board meeting with another option that includes raising the price of adult lunch, as well.