June 18th, 2008
Prices in SMCISD cafeterias will increase for the first time in six years

For six years, San Marcos CISD resisted raising prices in school cafeterias, but school board trustees voted Monday night, June 16, 2008, for the first price hike due to rapidly rising costs. Assistant Superintendent for Business and Support Services Mike Abild told the board, “Food and paper costs are going up an average of 17-25%. Cheese and egg products are up 42%. Canned fruits have increased 27%, and milk is up 17%.” Free and reduced-price student meal will remain the same. A la carte milk will increase from $ .35 to $ .40 per carton.

Full-price meals will increase $ .25, making the new prices as follows:

Elementary and Intermediate

• Student breakfast — $ .95
• Student lunch — $1.75
• Adult meal — $2.50
• Visitor meal — $2.75

Junior High and High School

• Student breakfast — $ .95
• Student lunch — $2.00
• Adult meal — $2.50
• Visitor meal — $2.75

Associate Director of Child Nutrition Mike Boone said that in some parts of the nation, school meal prices have gone up 50% or more. “Most of the surrounding school districts in Central Texas have had to increase school lunch prices this year, anywhere from ten cents to twenty-five cents,” Boone said. “But even with this upcoming price increase, San Marcos CISD is still under what most neighboring districts are charging for meals. That’s because we haven’t been steadily increasing the charge over the last several years.”

By IRIS CAMPBELL
Public Information Officer – San Marcos CISD

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Daciana Anzaldua of De Zavala Elementary