CVSD considers increasing cost of some food items

A price increase of several food items served in Central Valley middle schools and high schools could save the district approximately $7,000, according to Cheryl Bales, a nutritional services field supervisor for the district.

The district is considering raising the cost of popular a la carte items (additional items served separately from meals) by 25 cents during the balance of the school year. The proposed prices would be comparable to those at Spokane Public Schools.

Dave Jackman, director of auxiliary services, presented the proposal at Monday’s board meeting.

The district hasn’t increased food prices in three years, said Jackman. And although the food program is largely self-supporting, the district is increasingly subsidizing nutrition services with money from the general fund.

Jackman pointed out that the district’s newly adopted strategic plan calls for the “prioritization of district resources” and “expansion of school resources through a broad and creative range of support.”

The school board would need to approve any increases and will likely consider the proposal at the Feb. 26 meeting.

Under the proposal the price of a la carte sub sandwiches would go from $1.75 to $2 and a la carte chef salad from $1.75 to $2.

Jackman said the goal is to encourage students to buy the full-meal deals. At $2.25 the meals are a better value, nutritionally balanced and less expensive for the district because they can use federal commodities for the full meals, but not a la carte items.

In the past, the district has typically raised the a la carte items one year and the meals the following year, Jackman said.

In other board news, at the next meeting the board will be asked to authorize a one-time only memo of understanding to adjust the dates for spring break in 2008.

By contract the district’s spring break is always the first week in April. In order to provide an entire week the 2008 break would begin on March 31.