Great Falls trustees approve meal price increase

Meal prices for Great Falls Public Schools will increase slightly next school year after trustees voted on the measure Tuesday night.

This means elementary breakfast prices will increase from $1.45 to $1.55, elementary lunches will increase from $2.30 to $2.40, secondary school breakfasts will increase from $1.45 to $1.55 and secondary lunch prices will go from $2.55 to $2.60.

District Business Manager Brian Patrick said the district is required to move its pricing toward the reimbursement rate the federal government gives for free and reduced meals. The district is required to increase it by 10 cents per year or the adjusted price given by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Healthy, Hunger Free Act, which would be an average of $2.59 for the upcoming school year. If the district didn’t approve the price increase, the district would have to offset the cost with $136,000 in combined general fund and food services revenue.

Trustee Don Ryan questioned Patrick and Food Services Supervisor Jennifer Spellman on whether the increased prices means people stop eating school lunches. Spellman said at the beginning of the school year, yes. But the participation rate picks up throughout the year.

“They get over the (price) shock?” Ryan asked.

“They get over packing lunches,” Spellman said.

Also at Tuesday’s board meeting: trustees heard a report the efforts being made through United Way of Cascade County, Family Connections and other entities about early childhood education efforts.

The Ready Families, Ready Learners group talked about different partnerships the school district is engaged in to get kids ready to start elementary school so they are ready to learn and will go on to successfully graduate high school. They’re doing everything from working with Family Connections to identify and work with daycare providers in the vicinity of local elementary schools, providing baby books to all families who have a baby at Benefis Health System and more.

“We challenged ourselves to think of (Graduation Matters) at the elementary level,” said Ruth Uecker, assistant superintendent for elementary schools in Great Falls.

Trustees also got a report on the district’s career and technical education program, which highlighted everything from the health occupations classes to the Jobs for Montana Graduates program, which is going to expand next year to Great Falls High and C.M. Russell High School thanks to grants from the state, according to Jamie McGraw, career readiness coordinator for the school district.

Reach Tribune Staff Writer Kristen Cates at 791-1463. Follow her on Twitter @GFTrib_KCates.