OSD qualifies for exception to the rule

Oconee School District administration recommends raising student breakfast and lunch prices for the next year. But, if the trustees are looking for an out, there’s one available. Recommended are five-cent a meal increases for student breakfasts, for elementary lunches, and secondary school lunches. Currently, prices are $1.20 for breakfast, $1.85 for elementary lunch, and $2.05 for secondary lunch. In advance of their work session Monday, trustees are being told: “The USDA requirements mandate that school lunch prices be increased until the price for a full pay meal equals the amount that the USDA reimburses for a ‘free’ meal. There is one exception to that rule this year. If a district has a minimum of three months operating expenses in the food service fund balance, it may choose to keep the prices the same. According to the calculation, the SDOC must go up a minimum of $0.05 for the 13-14 school year, but we do qualify for the exception.” Adult prices are set by the state and are usually announced in the summer.