Parents in Dripping Springs ISD will pay slightly more for their students’ meals this school year after the board of trustees approved a price increase at an Aug. 24 meeting.
The overview
The board of trustees approved a $0.10 increase for breakfast prices and a $0.25 increase for lunch.
Because the district had a deficit in the child nutrition budget for fiscal year 2025-26, Chief Operations Officer Scott Berry said the district is obligated by the Texas Department of Agriculture to take action regarding meal prices.
“Our expenses are trending upwards, and that’s expected because of inflation,” Berry said.
According to the TDA, the weighted average lunch price would be $4.31 for elementary schools, $0.86 higher than DSISD’s rate in 2025-26.
The details
Rather than raise child nutrition prices by the entire recommended amount, the district elected to contribute money from the fund balance of the child nutrition budget to keep costs lower.
District officials estimate that they will need to contribute about $150,000 from the fund balance, but the exact number depends on participation in the school lunch program.
Quote of note
“We’re helping offset the cost increase to our families, but we’re also not kicking the can down the road,” board member Rob McClelland said.
