THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, June 19, 1994 TAG: 9406170191
SECTION: CAROLINA COAST PAGE: 49 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY PAUL SOUTH, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: 940619 LENGTH: MANTEO
The board voted unanimously Tuesday night to delay action on a proposed price hike, and asked school Superintendent Leon Holleman to meet with school nutrition officials on possible cost-cutting measures that could keep prices at current levels.
{REST} Under the proposal, breakfast prices for K-5 students would be increased to 75 cents, while lunch prices would increase to $1.35 per day. That's 10 cents more than the current costs.
For students in grades six through 12, breakfast prices would be 85 cents. Lunch prices for grades 6-8 would remain unchanged at $1.50, while the price for students in grades 9 through 12 would increase 25 cents to $1.75.
In a memorandum to the board, Child Nutrition director Patricia B. Fearing said the increase in breakfast prices would not create a problem because the majority of students receive breakfast either free or at reduced prices under federal and state programs.
The lunch increase, Fearing wrote, ``would not work a hardship on parents.'' Prices remained unchanged for middle school students because of high participation in the lunch program. The increase at the high school level is warranted, she said, because those students receive larger portions.
Service for those receiving free lunches or meals at reduced cost would be unaffected.
``I know we may have to do this, but I'm not for it,'' said board member David Daniels.
Board member Donna Buxton said there were still a number of unanswered questions regarding possible reductions in costs for the nutrition program.
``Before we raise prices, I think we need to find some of the answers we're looking for,'' she said.
Dare County's student nutrition program operated at a deficit of more than $26,000 for 1993-94. The proposed increases would generate approximately the same amount in new revenues. But according to board chairman Virginia Tillett, the deficit would remain the same, largely because of increases in food and salary costs.
Holleman said one possible cost-cutting measure is to begin quarterly bidding by food service firms, instead of annually.
``We're working on labor costs and food costs,'' Holleman said. ``We think bidding quarterly will take advantage of a competitive market.''
In other action, the board granted an exception to the system's exchange student policy. Under the current policy, up to four students each can be placed at either Hatteras or Manteo High. Holleman asked the board a fifth spot to allow one from the former Soviet Union to attend Manteo High School.
``I think it will be a great learning experience for our students,'' Holleman said.
Following unanimous approval, a lighthearted exchange between Holleman and Daniels proved again that in North Carolina, basketball season never ends.
``Is it true he's a 6-11 center?,'' Daniels asked Holleman.
``No, I believe she's a soccer player,'' Holleman replied.
{KEYWORDS} DARE COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION
by CNB