Lamar Consolidated ISD officials said the district will need to increase the cost of meals in the 2026-27 school year to comply with federal meal program regulations.
Chief Operations Officer Greg Buchanan said the changes come after the district’s required annual review to ensure no federal funds are being spent on the cost of the meals for paying students.
The cost
The increases—which were presented at a March 17 board meeting—will raise breakfast by 15 cents and lunch by 25 cents, Buchanan said.
New costs for the 2026-27 school year would include:
- $1.40 for breakfast and $2.80 for lunch for early childhood education through fifth grade
- $1.45 for breakfast and $2.90 for lunch for sixth through eighth grade
- $1.50 for breakfast and $3 for lunch for ninth through 12th grade
The total cost increase per year for both breakfast and lunch would be $69.20, equating to a $6.92 monthly increase based on the 10-month school year, he said.
However, qualified students can apply for free and reduced lunch options alongside the 30 campuses that receive free meals due to meeting eligibility for meals across the entire campus, officials said.
The background
The school meal program is mostly funded through the National School Lunch Program, which provides money for students who qualify for free or reduced-price meals due to their family’s income, officials previously said.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture mandates an annual evaluation to compare federal reimbursement rates with the number of students who are paying out-of-pocket.
If discrepancies are found—meaning full-paying students are being subsidized by federal funds—the district must adjust meal pricing to comply.
Looking ahead
The meal pricing item does not require board approval, so no further action will be taken before its implementation in the 2026-27 school year, district staff said.
