Rising milk costs reflected in Jackson new school lunch prices

Milk: It does a budget bad.

The rising cost of cafeterias' liquid staple has forced the Jackson School District to up the amount it charges students for lunch. Jackson officials delayed the bidding process of next year's milk supply for the district's 10 schools, hoping the price would eventually go down.

It hasn't, and the additional cost will come from students' lunch money. At a meeting Tuesday night, the Jackson School Board voted to raise lunch prices by 5 cents at all elementary schools and 15 cents at the middle, junior high and high schools.

"If you look at the store, milk has gone up big time," said Dr. Ron Anderson, Jackson superintendent. "We've talked with other districts, and we're anticipating each carton going up 5 cents. We have to reflect that in our prices."

Elementary lunch prices will go from $1.35 last year to $1.40 this year. Secondary lunch prices will jump from $1.60 to $1.75. Those prices include one carton of milk. The price of additional cartons will also increase, from 25 cents last year to 30 cents this year.

A middle school, junior or high school student who eats five days a week can expect around a $3 increase per month. Elementary students can expect to pay an extra $1 per month. Anderson said he doesn't believe the additional cost will have too much of an effect on students.

"The students who might really need it are already on free or reduced lunch, so they'll be handled already," Anderson said. "Most students spend more buying extra things."

Anderson said the milk bidding process for next year is underway now. In other business, the school board approved two new courses for the 2004-2005 school year.

The courses, called Transition I and Transition II, are part of a new special education partnership the district formed with Southeast Missouri Hospital.

cclark@semissourian.com

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