Scott City school meal program lost $37,000, superintendent says

At a Scott City School Board meeting Tuesday, superintendent Brian Lee said the district lost more than $37,000 for its meal program last year -- a difference of nearly $40,000 from the previous fiscal year.

In the 2013-2014 school year, the district made about $1,700 on the school meal program, he said. But in the 2014-2015 school year, the district lost $37,377, Lee said.

"That's almost a $40,000 difference," he said. "I'm not sure exactly what caused that, and I want to do some research."

The district renewed its contract with OPAA! Food Management in February. Lee said the number of meals sold declined last year; however, the amount of money paid to OPAA went up.

Lee said one reason a district uses an outside source for its food program is so it is not subject to fluctuations in the number of meals sold.

"If you sell less meals, that shouldn't hurt the school, because OPAA would get less money from us," he said. "Your reimbursement went down, which tells me you sold less meals than the year before. But the money you paid went up. I don't think the price of meals went up so much to make that difference."

Lee said he wants to talk to other districts that use outside agencies to see whether they've encountered similar experiences. He plans to give an update to the school board at its next board meeting Aug. 19.

The board voted Tuesday to raise breakfast and lunch prices by 5 cents, because its next meeting is scheduled after classes begin.

With the price increases, breakfast for students in kindergarten through fourth-grade will be $1.20, and lunch will be $1.80. For students in grades five through 12, breakfast will cost $1.20, and lunch will be $1.90.

Adult breakfast will be $1.35, and lunch will cost $2.15. The cost of reduced-price breakfasts and lunches, at 30 cents and 40 cents, will not change.

"I don't want to make money on lunches," Lee said. "I want to break even. ... School lunches should not be a big cost to the district, in my opinion. So, I want to look into that."

In other business, board members voted to keep gate prices for athletic events same as last year. For adults, the price is $3. Students, military members and seniors age 55 and older will pay $2.

A family pass for immediate family members is $75. Individual passes are $35 and student passes are $15.

Tuesday was Lee's first board meeting as the district's superintendent. He replaced former superintendent Diann Ulmer, who retired June 30 after 28 years with the Scott City School District.

klamb@semissourian.com

388-3639

Pertinent address:

3000 Main St., Scott City, Mo.