Posted on: Friday, May 27, 2005
Students may soon pay more for lunch
By Treena Shapiro
Advertiser Education Writer
The state Board of Education has been granted permission to raise school lunch prices this week, but the subsidized meals will probably still cost $1 when students return to school after summer vacation.
Board Chairman Breene Harimoto said the BOE first has to take a hard look at the Department of Education budget to identify all the shortfalls and possible revenue sources.
"Then we'll work with the department to get all the current info about the state of the school lunch program," he said.
The state currently charges only one-third the cost of a school lunch, but a bill signed into law this week by Gov. Linda Lingle authorizes it to charge students for up to half the cost of the meal.
That would mean students could end up paying up to $1.50, since the average school lunch costs roughly $3. Any increase would affect all schools, but should not affect low-income students who have free- or reduced-price lunches subsidized by the federal government.
While it is unlikely the board will move quickly enough to raise the price over the summer, the days of dollar lunches won't last, thanks to rising milk and food costs.
"The cost of everything skyrocketed," Harimoto said.
However, he also said the board will wait to hear from the school lunch program before determining whether to take advantage of the new law.
Gene Kaneshiro, director of the school food services branch, said his department is preparing a report on school lunch costs for the superintendent, but it will not be introduced to the BOE until after July 1, when the new law goes into effect.
He also said the superintendent might propose a different methodology than simply charging students the cost of half the meal.
The superintendent's recommendation will be subject to approval by the BOE.
"I think we'll come to a point where we'll have to raise it because of the overall budget, but I'm not sure if we're at that point now," Harimoto said.
Reach Treena Shapiro at tshapiro@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8014.
