Meals will cost more at Moorhead schools this fall.
The School Board voted Monday night to raise breakfast and lunch prices by 20 cents in the 2005-06 school year.
The increase will raise about $96,600 - and combined with the possibility of additional federal aid and ala carte sales - will offset most of what would have been a projected deficit of $150,398 in food service, said Mark Weston, assistant superintendent.
The cost of breakfast will rise from 5 cents to 25 cents. The cost of elementary lunch will rise from $1.05 to $1.25 and the cost of secondary lunch will rise from $1.15 to $1.40.
Each nickel increase adds revenue of $5,000 for breakfast, $8,900 for elementary lunch and $8,200 for secondary lunch, according to the district.
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It's the first increase in lunch prices since the 1996-97 school year, officials said.
In other action, the School Board unanimously raised the monthly salary of its members and on a 6-1 vote approved a new three-year contract for Superintendent Larry Nybladh.
Members will now make $700 monthly, up from $550. It's the first increase since 1999, when the monthly salary rose from $450.
Board member Carol Ladwig said the approved pay raise reflects higher expenses, including fuel and child care costs, incurred by board members.
"I want to make it possible for good people to serve on the board," she said.
Nybladh's new contract provides for increases in total compensation of $19,850 (12.23 percent) in 2005-06, $9,077 (4.98 percent in 2006-07 and $8,206 (4.29 percent) in 2007-08, or a yearly average increase of $12,377 and 7.17 percent.
Nybladh's total compensation in the 2004-05 school year was $162,349.
Board president Lisa Erickson said Nybladh provides strong leadership. She praised his consensus decision-making.
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And if Nybladh leaves, finding a replacement of his caliber would be expensive and time-consuming, she said.
Board member Cindy Fagerlie cast the dissenting vote against Nybladh's contract.
She said Nybladh is an excellent superintendent and that he has her complete confidence.
But she said she considers the contract's first-year increase to be too high.
Nybladh's new contract begins Jan. 1, 2006, and ends Dec. 31, 2008.
Nybladh has been Moorhead superintendent since January 2000.
Readers can reach Forum reporter Jonathan Knutson at (701) 241-5530
