GISD increases meal prices

The Gatesville Independent School District has raised its student meal prices by 10 cents per meal for the 2023-24 school year after reviewing the prices and considering federal guidelines and prices being charged by other area districts.

"We had to wait until TEA (the Texas Education Agency) got their rates finalized, but we will have a 10-cent across the board raise in all prices for student lunches and breakfasts," said Darrell Frazier, chief financial officer for the district. "This is the first increase (for students) we've had in quite a few years."

That will put the cost of student meals at $1.70 for breakfast for all ages. The cost of lunch will be $2.60 for pre-kindergarten through third grade, and $2.85 for grades 4-12.

Prices for adult meals will increase 10 cents for breakfast and 25 cents for lunch. Breakfast will cost $3.10 for adults and lunch will cost $4.75.

A memorandum to the GISD Board of Trustees stated that the district "remains at least 25 cents below the federal recommended pricing. However, due to a carry-over of past subsidies to the School Nutrition Program, we are not in danger of having to increase general fund subsidies as a result."

Frazier said despite the increases, GISD has reasonably priced meals.

"Compared to other school districts in the area we're usually in the middle of the pack," he said. "On elementary and secondary school lunches, we're actually quite low compared to other districts in our area."

Board member Linda Maxwell said, "I'm surprised that's all it costs."

Board member Mary Anne Leib asked if Frazier thought the price increases "will make a difference in our food service."

"Not really," Frazier said. Many of the meals are free anyway (based on students qualifying for free and reduced-price lunches because of family income). "Ten cents is the most you can go up in a year. Since we haven't increased rates in years, we've fallen behind what we should be charging. If we don't raise them, we'll get in trouble with TEA.

"It's all very regulated. They give you little leeway in terms of food service. They give you money, so they get to decide how you use it. The TEA answers to the federal government."