District 1 approves increase in lunch prices

WORLAND — The Washakie County School District No. 1 Board of Trustees approved a small increase to lunch prices for the 2022-23 school year at their regular board meeting Monday.

Business Manager Charlie Cauffman said the food service program has been provided free of charge since March 13, 2020, through federal funding.

“Unfortunately, the federal program under which we were able to do this is ending as of June 30, 2022,” Cauffman said.

He noted that means that the district will be returning to National School Breakfast/Lunch Program on July 1.

Cauffman said, “With the recent inflation, and to ease the burden to our community the district is subsidizing the program with $250,000.”

He added that the subsidy is an increase from previous years.

“We tried to keep breakfast prices intact as much as we could,” he said.

Lunch prices will increase 25 cents per meal.

Breakfast prices will be $2.25 for elementary students, $2.50 for middle school and $3.10 for high school. Adult prices are $3.10 per meal. Reduced price for those who qualify is 30 cents.

Lunch prices for the new school year will be $3.25 for elementary, $3.50 for middle school and $4.10 for high school. Adult prices are $4.60 and reduced prices are 40 cents.

Cauffman said the average cost of a meal to the district is $5.

He said in addition to the increase the district food services program is looking at ways to try and cut costs.

Cauffman said parents should see if they qualify for free or reduced lunches. Applications will be available starting July 1 at the district central office.