Lunch Prices Could Increase Next School Year

Student lunches may increase by five cents next school year as the Waukesha School District attempts to meet a federal mandate to increase lunch prices to $2.59.

Adult lunch prices are proposed to increase 15 cents next school year.

The Waukesha School Board will take up the price increase during its meeting at 7 p.m. Wednesday at 222 Maple Ave.

The price following price increases are being proposed:

Elementary school breakfasts are proposed to increase by five cents from $1.10 to $1.15. Secondary school breakfasts are proposed to remain the same.

The federal government has mandated school districts to increase lunch prices until the prices meet the difference between what the federal government provides districts for free meal reimbursements and for paid reimbursements. According to the Waukesha School District, the target price is currently $2.59.

"At the current level of reimbursement, it will take five to eight years to meet the minimum requirements," states a school district memo. "It is possible to increase prices by a larger increment with a maximum increase of 10 cents annually."

Meanwhile, the district is recommending not increasing student parking, book and material fees, pay to ride fees and athletic fees.