Board forced to raise price of school lunches

HARTINGTON — It will be a little more expensive to eat breakfast and lunch at Hartington-Newcastle Public Schools next school year.

The Hartington-Newcastle School Board Monday approved a bid for milk from Hiland Dairy that will be eight cents per carton higher than last year.

Hiland Dairy was charging 29.5 cents per carton last year. This year, they bid the milk at 37 cents per carton. No other milk bids were received, so the Board had no alternative but to accept the increase.

The Board then voted to raise the price of lunches by five cents.

'Our costs are obviously going up, so we have no choice, but to seek an increase,' said Supt. A.J. Johnson.

Before approving the rate increase, board members questioned whether this was enough of an increase. Johnson said he wants to make sure the meals are affordable and felt the five-cent increase would be sufficient.

The Board also voted Monday to raise the price of activity tickets and passes. The Board voted to increase the admission price for games from $5 to $6 for adults and from $4 to $5 for students. The Board also voted to raise the price of an annual pass from $40 to 50.

It has been several years since the admission price for these events has seen an increase, Johnson said.

The Board also agreed Monday to extend the contracts for five teachers who are teaching summer school.

The Board approved 17-day contract extensions for Julie Steffen, Ladonna Kneifl, Susan Anderson, and Maddi Sudbeck and a nine-day extension for Pam Anderson.

The local teachers are teaching summer school at HNS this year.

After the meeting, Supt. Johnson said all teachers have been hired for the new school year. The school is still short one English teacher, however.

Johnson said the classes that were previously taught by Theresa O'Brien will now be split amongst several teachers. Johnson, who taught English before moving into administration, will also teach an English class, he said.

Johnson told Board members Monday that the construction project is going smoothly.

The brick work will begin this week, he said. The framing up of interior walls and installation of duct work will also begin this week. The concrete floors have all been poured and plumbing work has also begun. He noted demolition on the windows of the south side of the current elementary building will also be done soon.

The Board then went into executive session to discuss wages for the non-certified staff for the 2023-24 school year.

The next school board meeting is slated for July 10 at 5:30 p.m.