Meal prices set for upcoming school year

The Willow Springs school board set meal prices for the 2022-2023 school year at its regular meeting on Monday, June 13.

Superintendent Bill Hall reminded the board that students had been able to eat meals for free since the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, thanks to federal assistance.

“This year, the waiver goes away, and adults and students will be charged,” said Hall.

Lunch prices will be $1.95 for all students, and $2.35 for adults. Hall told the board the district had been charging 25 cents for milk received by kindergarteners to go with snacks, while paying 39 cents. Hall recommended a price increase to 35 cents for the kindergarten milk, which was approved by the board.

The board discussed the importance of eligible families applying for free and reduced lunches when packets are sent home at the beginning of the school year.

“School funding is based on free and reduced lunches,” he said.

Board president Mac Gum asked if there have been difficulties with food supply for school meals.

“Prices have gone up, plus supply (issues),” said Hall. “I think it’s going to be tough for food services. It’s just everything is going up right now.”

In other business:

• The board approved the resignations of Lily Beck, high school Spanish; Cassie Rutledge, paraprofessional; Michaela Rodgers, paraprofessional; Cindy Collins, elementary secretary; and Diana Anderson, food service.

• The board approved offering contracts of employment to Whitney Smith, paraprofessional; Kaitlyn King, paraprofessional; Brittany Dickman, paraprofessional; Nathan Cooper, paraprofessional; Barbara Stark, paraprofessional and bus driver; Karen Gore, paraprofessional;  Scott Tooley, alternative school; and Glenna Brown, paraprofessional all effective for the 2021-2022 school year.

• The board also approved the reassignments of Jordan Capeder to high school Spanish and Jennifer Payne to high school math.  

• The board agreed to solicit bids for the sale of the 90-ton chiller in the middle school, which is being replaced in this summer’s heating and air project. The board also discussed whether the chiller could be used in another building on campus, and it was decided to seek more information and an estimate from a mechanical engineer to see if the chiller could be used elsewhere.

•  The July school board meeting was rescheduled to Monday, July 18, at 6 p.m.