Possible increase for school meals in CVSD

A price increase in school lunches and breakfasts is looming in Central Valley School District.

Board members discussed how much to raise prices during this week’s board meeting. Duane Smilden, supervisor of nutrition services, said the combination of rising food and fuel prices coupled with a reduction in the amount of each meal subsidized by the state has led to a “perfect storm.”

In the 2006-07 school year the district subsidized $293,867 of nutrition services costs, or 7.7 percent. For the 2007-08 school year the total is expected to hit $561,018, or 13.6 percent. The goal is for the district to only subsidize 3 percent, Smilden said.

Smilden proposed raising the price of breakfast by 10 cents at all schools and increasing lunch costs by 25 cents, as well as raising the price of milk by 10 cents.

Some board members were reluctant to raise the price of lunch and milk so much. “I’m a little concerned about this much of a price hike,” said board member Cindy McMullen. The increases will hit hardest at families who make just above the income limit that would allow them to qualify for free or reduced lunch. “I think they’re going to take a hit from every direction.”

McMullen suggested limited the increase in lunch prices to 10 cents and not increasing milk prices, a suggestion that seemed to find support from other board members. “With this turmoil in our society, we need to take care of the children,” said board member Debra Long.

McMullen also pointed out that this year’s increase was partially driven by the beef recall in the fall. The district was forced to take $48,000 of beef bought on the cheaper commodity market to the dump and replace it with beef bought on the open market for two-thirds more, Smilden said. McMullen called it an “anomaly” that likely wouldn’t happen again, which should be factored into the decision on how much to raise prices for next year.

Smilden’s other suggestions for cutting costs include reducing the cyclical menu at elementary schools from six weeks to five. That means that each menu item will be used once each five weeks. “I can run about 25 entrées before I repeat an entrée,” Smilden said. “I’m just trying to use all the commodities. The savings comes from not buying French toast or a hot dog on a bun, where I have to buy the hot dog and the bun.”

His plan also calls for increasing the prices of a la carte items at the secondary level and reducing the meal choices from six to four at middle schools and high schools. That would shift high-price items bought on the open market like pizza or rice bowls to the a la carte menu, where the district can charge full price for them. “That’s what’s killing me right now is buying on the open market,” Smilden said. “I’m not taking the choice away, I’m just taking it out of the full meal option.”

Smilden noted that the last time the district made a change in the high school menu, taking away sandwiches and chicken fried steak, they heard a loud outcry from students. “I guarantee you, the chicken fried steak is going nowhere,” he said. “The kids may kick and buck that they’re down to four choices. Kids tend to be vocal.”

The changes outlined by Smilden would increase revenues by about $400,000. Board members seemed in favor of reducing the number of entrées, changing the elementary school menus and increasing a la carte items. They are expected to make a decision on the meal changes at their next board meeting, which will be on May 27 because of the Memorial Day holiday.