School lunch prices increase

Elementary and middle school students in the Carson City School District will pay a nickel more every day for a hot lunch.

Anthony Turley, finance director for the district, said the increase had not been anticipated.

"It's not something we wanted to do," he said. "It's something we were pushed to do."

Although the fee increase was not part of the budget, the district received word last month that it was out of compliance with federal guidelines, Turley said.

According to an amendment made to the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010, districts much charge students the same amount they receive from the federal government for free and reduced-price lunches.

Throughout the district, Turley said, students were paying on average $2.36 per meal. However, the district received $2.43 cents in reimbursements for free and reduced-cost lunches.

"That's too big of a gap," Turley explained. "We need to be within 5 cents."

Because the largest number of students participating in the school lunch program attend elementary and middle schools, that is where the additional cost will be charged.

Prices at the high school will stay the same.

At the elementary school level, fees will rise to $2.30, up from the $2.25 charged last year. Middle-schoolers will now pay $2.55 for lunch rather than $2.50.

Turley will present the plan to the Carson City School Board at its Tuesday meeting for final approval.