Van-Far Raises Meal Prices
April M. Fronick • Editor
Meal prices will be going up at Van-Far this year to offset budget shortfalls in the food
service department.
Van-Far school board members approved modest increases to lunch, breakfast and milk
prices at the regular meeting on Thursday, July 17. For more than five years, the food
service department has gone over-budget by between $6,000-$12,000. The increases
should offset future shortfalls.
Lunch and breakfast prices will go up 10-cents each. Lunch will be $1.40 in the
elementary and $1.60 in the high school. Breakfast prices for both elementary and high
school will be $1. Both lunch and breakfast includes one carton of milk. Additional milk
cartons have been 25-cents, that will increase by five cents to 30-cents. Adults will be
charged 15-cents more at $2 for lunch and $1.20 for breakfast.
“I predict this will keep us where we are next year...maybe,” noted board member Ruth
Nation.
Superintendent Chris Felmlee said the food service department has been falling behind
largely because meal prices have not reflected increased costs for food and the
transportation.
The new prices will go into effect this fall.
The board also discussed construction of the proposed greenhouse, but tabled action
until next month. The proposal began two months ago with the prospect of a grant that
would cover 75 percent of the costs.
While a greenhouse would augment the ag program, board members became wary of the
project as the percentage covered by the grant dropped to 40 percent. The district
received an initial (pre-grant) bid of $98,945 from Hummert International and a second bid
from Dempsey Construction, LLC of $54,078. Both bids would require about $15,000 of
electrical work. Felmlee pointed out this could be done in-house.
The low bid would still put the district’s portion at about $32,500. This year the district will
again be deficit spending so the prospect of an addition seems grim.
“I don’t see how we can do it. I’d love to have it, but we have to stop deficit spending,” said
Larry Wheeler.
“We’ve got to tighten our belts,” Tim Crow agreed.
Despite funding difficulties, Christy Nelson pointed out the greenhouse can help pay for
itself though the sale of items grown. The Bowling Green district has several sales each
year.
“I think there is a need and it could benefit the community as a whole,” Nelson explained.
The board opted to table making a decision on the matter until obtaining more information
and examining some other options to fill the need. Nelson agreed to examine how
profitable the greenhouse is for the Bowling Green R-I District. Felmlee will also
investigate the option of bringing in a used greenhouse and using more in-house labor.
Nation suggested a committee of community members be formed to raise awareness and
generate ideas for the project. Loralee Adam pointed out the district could have a display
of the potential greenhouse as the district has its 50-year building celebration.
The matter will be reexamined at a special meeting on Wednesday, July 30.
The board also:
•approved the revised bid of $20,500 for construction of the pre-kindergarten facility. The
bid was revised to allow for steel reinforcement in the concrete pad. Crow voted against
the measure. The trailer will be installed by August.
•approved the bid of $8,000 for renovations in the men’s and women’s restrooms closest
to the gym in the high school.
•received a report from Loralee Adam on senior trips at the end of the school year. The
district receives $21 per day in funding per student who attends trips. It is estimated that
results in just over $3,000 in funding compared to the $800 it costs to provide the
educational trips.
•agreed to hold a special meeting on Wednesday, July 30 to discuss the greenhouse
proposal, district calendar, and debt refinancing with L.J. Hart.
•set the tax rate hearing for 6:45 p.m., before the next regular meeting on Thursday, Aug.
21.
•accepted the resignation of elementary secretary Jackie Barnes.
Board Tables Decision On Greenhouse