GILLETTE, Wyo. — Campbell County School District 1 will suspend a previously approved meals price increase for the 2025–26 school year. The decision comes after Board of Trustee discussion with Nutrition Services Director Bryan Young on Tuesday.
According to Young, the board had approved a 50-cent total meal price increase on Feb. 13, 2024, with a 25-cent increase implemented for the 2024–25 school year and an additional 25 cents planned for the following year. The update aimed to analyze the impact of the initial 25-cent increase on student meal participation.
Young said Campbell County’s meal prices were relatively low compared to other districts in the state. Out of the districts running a pricing program, Campbell County ranked among the cheapest for elementary breakfast at 34th out of 39 and lunch at 36th out of 41. For secondary schools, the district also ranked in the lower half for both breakfast and lunch prices.
The presentation detailed changes in meals served after the 25-cent price increase for full-pay students.
- Elementary breakfast at full pay saw an increase of almost 4,500 meals served. However, elementary lunch at full pay experienced a decrease of nearly 19,000 meals.
- There was a significant increase in reduced and free breakfasts, up 17,000, and lunches, up 14,000, at the elementary level.
- Secondary schools saw a decrease of almost 5,000 in full-pay lunches.
Young also noted that while the number of free meal applications approved remained relatively the same compared to the previous year, reduced applications had decreased, not fully explaining the rise in free and reduced meal participation.
The revenue generated with the 25-cent increase was about $15,000 for full-pay breakfasts and $70,000 for full-pay lunches. An additional $51,000 was generated from a 25-cent increase in á-la-carte items at secondary schools.
Considering upcoming recalibration as a result of a lawsuit and potential changes in nutrition funding, along with the data analysis, administration recommended suspending the second 25-cent meal price increase planned for the 2025–26 school year.
Board members discussed the recommendation. Superintendent Alex Ayers clarified that the district typically supplements nutrition services by around $750,000 per year from the general fund. He noted the state’s counsel during the lawsuit questioned the district’s historically low meal prices, essentially arguing that the district had been irresponsible.
A motion was made and seconded to rescind the second 25-cent increase to school lunch prices for the upcoming school year. The motion passed unanimously.
