Students and staff members in the Hillsboro R-3 School District will pay a dime more for meals when classes resume in August.
The district’s Board of Education voted unanimously July 27 to approved the price increase for school breakfasts and lunches based on recommendations from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
“This is taking into account inflation,” said Kelly Genge, the Hillsboro School District’s chief financial officer.
She said she has checked other districts’ rates and found Hillsboro R-3’s to be “competitive” or lower than many.
Board member Jon Schuessler asked about future meal prices.
“Parents will want to know what to expect,” he said.
“They’ve generally been going up every year, 10 cents one year and 10 cents the next. But really, it depends every year on food costs.”
For the 2023-2024 school year, lunches will cost $3.15 for primary, elementary and intermediate school students; $3.40 for junior high and high school students; and $4.15 for adults.
Breakfast will be priced at $2.15 for students and $2.55 for adults.