The Lansing School Board was presented with the numbers on the school meals program at the August 8 regular meeting. The program is losing money. Interim Business Administrator Gary Alger suggested a two pronged attack: raise the price of regular breakfast and lunch meals by 25 cents, milk by 10 cents and raise the prices a la carte items drastically.

The district receives 22 cents from the federal government and 6.5 cents from the state, for a total of $.285 for each meal sold. The problem is that many Middle and High School students have been buying their meals a la carte, which does not qualify for the reimbursement.

Last year 164,724 meals were sold, yielding $46,946.34 in reimbursements. But this was not enough to offset the food service's expenses. Mr. Alger recommended raising a la carte prices drastically to encourage students to purchase meals. If this drives more meal sales, the district will receive more reimbursements, putting the program back into the black.

Middle School Principal John Gizzy asked why the a la carte option is necessary. It is not mandated, and it can result in some students making less healthy choices. But Mr. Alger was reluctant to take such a drastic step as eliminating the choice altogether.

Board member Sandy Dhimitri would not vote for a 25 cent increase, because last year the board had made a "big jump in price" so they wouldn't have to do it again. Faced with another rise anyway she and Board Vice President Anne Drake felt that a quarter was too much. Dan Brown also felt that the board must look at costs, perhaps finding ways to lower them.

Ultimately the board voted to accept a 15 cent rise in meal prices and will consider new pricing for a la carte items at the next meeting.

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