Grand Forks school meal prices increased by 20 cents for the coming school year

GRAND FORKS — The Grand Forks Public School District raised school meal prices by 20 cents for the coming school year.

School Board members heard from District Business Manager Brandon Baumbach and District Child Nutrition Director Wendy Mankie and approved the increase a the regularly scheduled board meeting on Aug. 25. Baumbach said the increase is to ensure the district maintains a fund balance as nutrition costs increase.

“We have a healthy fund balance,” Baumbach said. “... We just want to make an incremental increase to make sure we stay ahead of food price increases.”

Over the course of a year, the increase will cost each student an additional $17.40.

Baumbach said the funding for school meal programs is separate from the district’s general fund because the district participates