Adults will need to pay more for student lunches at HNS

HARTINGTON — The cost of school lunches is going up again, but only for adults who eat at the school.

Supt. A.J. Johnson told Hartington-Newcastle School Board members the cost of an adult lunch will increase to $4.60. The cost had been $4.25, he said. The cost for an adult meal was raised last spring after a school lunch audit showed the school was not charging enough. The increase is being mandated by a federal government regulation, Johnson said.

The cost for an adult to eat breakfast at the school will be increased to $2.75, Johnson said.

The Board also approved the annual contract with school nurse Jackie Loecker. Loecker provides services to both the HNS District and Bloomfield, with each paying half of her salary.

Johnson also gave school board members a brief update on the school construction project. The brick work and the interior framing are now both done, and drywall is now being hung, he said. The electrical work and utilities work is now in process.

Prior to the start of the regular board meeting, special hearings concerning the school’s Americanism Committee and student fees were also held. The school’s student fees policies have one change this year. The state now mandates the district inform students of the maximum cost they could incur by taking a college credit course. Northeast Community College does not impose a fee for college credit courses, while the Wayne State College fee could be as high as $200, Johnson said.

The Board also voted to increase the school district’s revenue authority to make sure they do not exceed the state-mandated cap imposed by the newly approved LB 583. The law puts a cap of three percent on budget growth.

Johnson said the decision to increase the budget authority was simply a precautionary measure just in case more funds are needed for the building fund.

Also Monday, the Board:

• appointed Russ Flamig once again as school transportation director.

• approved adding DelRae Heine to the substitute teacher list.

• approved the parental involvement policy with no changes from last year.

• reviewed the school bullying policy with no changes.

• approved a transfer of $50,000 from the general fund to the student activity fund.