As Durango School District 9-R board members begin to look at budget numbers for the academic year 2015-16 that begins in July, the expense of the school-meals program is giving them some food for thought.
In 2013-14, the district provided subsidies of $294,500 for food when those costs otherwise would have exceeded revenue. Figures for the current year, 2014-15, aren’t known yet.
Board members are scheduled to look at nutrition costs among other issues at a study session Tuesday.
A number of factors contribute to heavy district spending over the amount received from the federal and state government, district spokeswoman Julie Popp said Friday.
Overall, the cost of food, whether from local or traditional food merchants, has increased, Popp said. At the same time, revenue from full-price or reduced-price meals has fallen, she said.
A portion of the expense is making sure the district complies with federal nutrition guidelines, Popp said. The guidelines demand whole grains and sets requirements for carbohydrates, protein and sodium, she said.
One factor contributing to the decline in revenue is the open campus at Durango High School that allows students who can pay for school meals to visit nearby commercial fast-food outlets.
An increase in the number of reduced-price or free meals is not as great as it could be because of the stigma, Popp said. At Florida Mesa Elementary School, 80 percent of students who qualify for less than full-price meals take advantage of the program, but at the high school, the figure is 5 to 10 percent, she said.
In 2013-14, revenue from meals was $1,549,873, which included the $294,500 contributed by the district. Otherwise, revenue would have amounted to $1,255,373 which, balanced against costs of $1,542,347, would have left a deficit of $286,974.
By law, the district must have a budget ready by June, Popp said. But school board members won’t have final figures on revenue and expenses until July, so amendments almost are certain to come, she said.
daler@durangoherald.com
