School lunch costs go up in Unit 5, board picks its leaders

Posted on April 25, 2019

By Howard Packowitz

NORMAL – It will cost a little more next school year to buy lunch at Unit 5 schools.

The school board Wednesday night voted to increase the regular meal price by five cents to $2.20 for elementary students, $2.25 for middle school kids, and up to $2.90 for high school students. Adults will pay $2.70 to $3.40 per meal.

The reasons for the increase, according to Unit 5 Business Manager Marty Hickman, are rising costs and meeting Federal Paid Lunch Equity requirements.

“When you go to the grocery store yourself, you see the prices are rising for all the food items. It’s the same for our school lunches, and rising wages,” said Hickman.

There’s no change for reduced price meals, breakfast, and extra milk.

The board also approved a $5.00 increase for instructional supplies, ranging from $60 for half-day kindergarteners to $155 for high schoolers.

In other business, Unit 5 Board President Barry Hitchins will serve in that capacity for another year, and the board picked Amy Roser to be vice president.

Howard Packowitz can be reached at [email protected]

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