Mount Vernon Optic-Herald

Mount Vernon ISD will be forced to increase school lunch prices for the 2011-2012 school year and again the following year. Lunches will increase by 50 cents for the coming school year. “In order for us to be compliant with Federal mandates, we decided to do this in a staggered manner instead of hitting it all the second year,” Tim Evans, Director of Operations for MVISD, said. At this time, estimates show that prices will need to be set at $2.46 for the 2012-2013 year. Prices have been $1.25 for elementary and $1.50 for high school students for nine years, according to Carol Walker, Food Services Manager for the school district.
“This is not a local issue. We are doing fine with the current prices and covering our costs, but we are forced to follow this mandate,” Mr. Evans explained to the board. “Maybe more parents will take advantage of the free and reduced lunch program,” he added. For more details from the July school board meeting, see the July 14 edition of the Mount Vernon Optic-Herald.