ASHLAND — A proposal to raise student lunch prices in Ashland City Schools at the elementary and middle school levels by 25 cents has been made and is expected to be implemented sometime during the upcoming 2019-2020 school year.
School officials say lunch prices would elevated from $2.75 to $3 for students in kindergarten through 6th grade and from $3 to $3.25 for 7th and 8th graders.
On average, Ashland City Schools’ lunch prices are 25 cents below the federal guidelines, the school reported. The USDA requires a certain amount of federal reimbursement for student lunches, which is resulting in the required price adjustment.
“Every year, we have to do a paid lunch equity,” said Kristie Ward, Food Service Supervisor at Ashland City Schools. “I have to do a calculation to see if we meet the federal mark.
“If we don’t raise our prices, there could be consequences.”
As of now, this does not affect high school students. Also, the proposed increase would not affect students using the free or reduced lunch programs offered at each school, Ward said.
