© 2002
The Nugget Newspaper
Sisters, Oregon
All rights reserved

Send us an email

Display Advertising

Schools eye lunch price increase
By Jim Cornelius

Schools may defy the adage that there is no free lunch, but those who pay may need to come up with a little extra in the cafeteria line next year.

The Sisters School Board is considering a meal price increase for its Nutrition Services department to bring the program closer to breaking even.

Nutrition Services currently is at a deficit of around $16,000, according to school superintendent Steve Swisher. If adopted in full, the price increase would bring in an estimated $15,000.

The proposed increase could add 25 cents to an elementary school lunch price and 50 cents to the price of a lunch at Sisters Middle School or Sisters High School.

However, board members were reluctant to impose the increase at the middle school level, because some of those students might have a hard time meeting the price -- and they might skip what for some is the most complete meal of the day.

"An elementary school kid who doesn't have lunch is going to be seen," said board chair Heather Wester. "A middle school kid might be missed."

Low income students qualify for federal free or reduced lunch programs. However, Swisher noted, some families that qualify don't sign up. That leaves them vulnerable to the effects of a price increase.

About 50 percent of the students at Sisters High School go off campus for lunch, according to Swisher. He noted that, at a certain point, a price increase would be ineffective, because it would push more students toward buying lunch outside school.

The board will consider the price increase again at its next meeting.

In other business, construction projects manager Bob martin told the board that the second bid package -- for concrete work and rough construction -- is out for bid. Bids are expected to be opened on Thursday.

Back to front page