The Henderson County Board of Public Education could potentially end its free student breakfast program due to rising food prices and insufficient federal funding to cover food inflation.
During a recent meeting, board members discussed the financial strain of the program for over an hour.
The program involves a complicated equation regarding reimbursement and labor costs.
"We're in the universal breakfast business, but we also recognize we're losing 21,000 dollars in breakfast. Put that in ten months, that's 200,000 dollars," said Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources Scott Rhodes.
Despite these financial difficulties, board members have expressed a desire to maintain the program. They are considering a 25-cent increase in student-paid lunch prices as a possible solution.
The board will vote on this in June.
STORY & PHOTO COURTESY OF ABC 13 WLOSHenderson County school board considers ending free breakfast program amid rising costs
