Get ready to give your kids a little more change for lunch next year. The Board of Education voted unanimously to raise the price of elementary school lunch prices by 20 cents at its regular meeting Tuesday night. The cost of a full lunch will increase from $2.65 to $2.85 starting next school year.
Paul Engeman, Director of Facilities, Construction and Operations, said the price hike was necessary to cover costs for the next school year. The increase will pay for higher food service worker benefits and to reimburse the Food Services Department for costs that used to be included in its operating budget, such as the propane used as fuel in all school kitchens. The new lunch prices will also build a contingency fund in case of a rise in supply costs or for replacing or repairing equipment.
The towns five elementary schools serve a total of 180,000-185,000 full lunches each year. The district expects to make about $37,000 a year from the price increase. Still, Engeman stressed that even with the change, Dariens elementary schools still charge less than those in neighboring towns. According to Debbie Bossi, Food Services Director, a lot of districts are around $3, Engeman told the board. We are below market.
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