Next school year lunch prices will increase by 10 cents after the Richmond County Board of Education approved the price increase at its regular monthly meeting Tuesday night at the Board of Education Office in Hamlet.
According to Superintendent George Norris, following a complete audit of the school lunch prices, federal funding sources have agreed to add an additional 6 cents to supplement every school lunch. Norris said each plate of lunch costs $2.60 to make on average. He said elementary school lunches cost the student $1.65, high school lunches cost the student $2.15 and adult lunches cost $3.40.
“We’re going to have to add an additional 10 cents to each of these in order to get closer to our average,” said Norris. “I’m afraid it’s something the board will have to face for a while. I’m asking the board to approve the increase for the next school year.”
In other matters, the school board:
• Recognized state and national winners with high scores on SATs/ACTs, precision machining and BETA Club.
• Heard a report on East Rockingham Elementary from Faculty Member Debbie Wrenn that detailed the success of the theme “Filling Buckets Everyday” that focused on self-esteem and encouragement and building relationships between students through cooperative faculty feedback.
• Received a presentation on Home Base & Power Schools by Michael Williams, who said it’s the “largest technical program North Carolina has ever rolled out.” N.C. Wise will no longer operate as of July 1, and PowerSchool will “awaken,” and will be the first of its kind to roll out state wide anywhere in the United States, affording to Williams.
• Reviewed an update from Cynthia Magee and Norris on EOC/EOG and Common Exams, which are scheduled to run from May 14 until June 10 in all schools and will require more time from teachers in grading than before.
• Approved the 2013-2014 Current Expense and Capital Outlay budgets, presented by Pam Satterfield and Norris. The proposed budget will be transferred to Richmond County Manager Rick Sago to be included in the county’s proposed budget for the upcoming fiscal year.
• Considered budget amendments for the current fiscal year.
• Heard a performance by the Richmond Senior High Raiders Jazz Ensemble.
— Staff Writer Dawn M. Kurry can be reached at 910-997-3111, ext. 15, or by email at dkurry@civitasmedia.com.























