WILLMAR -- Meal prices will be higher in Willmar's public schools next year, but they will still be less than the statewide average.
The School Board approved the increase on Monday. The additional $17,000 a year should help the Food Service account remain self-supporting.
The increase is the first for breakfast prices in seven years, said Annette Derouin, director of food service and nutrition. Lunch prices were raised a year ago after staying at the same level for the six years before that.
Breakfast prices will increase from 75 cents to 90 cents in secondary schools and from $1.30 to $1.45 for adults. The district provides breakfast free for all elementary students.
Lunch prices will increase from $1.45 to $1.50 for elementary students, from $1.55 to $1.60 for secondary students and from $2.60 to $2.75 for adults.
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State averages for breakfast are 99 cents for elementary students, $1.10 for secondary students and $1.55 for adults. For lunch, state averages are $1.72 for elementary students, $1.89 for secondary students and $2.84 for adults.
Milk prices will remain at a quarter. The statewide average is 33 cents.
Derouin said she felt strongly that milk prices should not go up. She wanted to make sure children could buy milk if they wanted, she said, and "It's easy to bring a quarter."
The additional funding will help purchase replacement equipment for the kitchens.
"We keep them until they die," but some steamers and other equipment will need to be replaced sometime soon because spare parts are no longer available for them, Derouin said.
The board heard a report on the special education department's progress on the district's strategic plan goals. About 12 percent of the district's students are eligible for special education services.
The department is working to include more measurable goals in its individual educational plans, said Susan Smith, special education coordinator.
The department is also working with the finance department to make sure other districts are billed for all services provided for students, including transportation, health-related costs and personal attendants, she said.
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In other business, the board:
n Met with representatives of the Willmar Area Arts Council about its plans for installing an electronic sign in front of the Willmar Education and Arts Center. The sign would be placed near the flag pole and would advertise events taking place at WEAC. The group has raised $7,000 of the $25,000 cost already and will be seeking funding from the community, with construction planned for fall.
n Renewed several contracts with the Southwest/West Central Service Cooperative, including contracts for general membership, cooperative purchasing, environmental/occupational health and safety management, the regional management information center and technology services.
- Approved contracts for two major summer repair projects. Horizon Roofing of Waite Park will do routine repair and replacement of a portion of the Kennedy Elementary roof at a cost of $169,860. Electrical Plus of Spicer will install a new fire alarm system in the Senior High for $106,490. The new system is needed to replace aging equipment with new technology and to comply with code changes since the original system was installed.
- Learned that the district's Special Olympics teams made a good showing in state competition over the weekend: Two teams took second place, one took third place and one took fourth place in their divisions. Each player receives a letter from Superintendent Kathy Leedom on behalf of the School Board.
- Approved a Senior High band and choir fund-raiser selling fireworks from a tent in the Cash Wise parking lot in late June and early July. The sale is expected to raise at least $2,000, which would be used to pay for travel and equipment.
