School lunch prices will increase by 20 cents at Nebraska City Public Schools.

The Nebraska City school board approved several rate increases for the coming 2008/09 school year at its July 14 meeting.

Hot lunch prices at each of the schools will increase by 20 cents per day. The middle school and high school prices will go from $2.20 per day to $2.40 per day and the Hayward/Northside price will go from $2 per day to $2.20 per day. Superintendent Jeff Edwards said the increase is to offset the higher costs of milk, bread and other items.

The hot lunch prices have increased a total of 40 cents at each school since the 2004/05 school year. Breakfast prices have risen the same amount and are now at $1.70 per day at all buildings.

The price of milk will remain at $.40. The board accepted a milk bid from Anderson Erickson Dairy.

The board chose not to accept a bread bid from either Sara Lee or Wonder Bread until they receive a report of annual bread costs from the food service staff. The staff is also exploring other vendors. Food service staff reported poor service from Wonder Bread.

In other board action, substitute teacher pay was increased from $115 per day last year to $120 per day for the 2008/09 school year. A four percent increase in tuition was also approved. Grades K-5 tuition was increased from $5,145 per year to $5,350 per year; grades 6-8 tuition was increased from $6,000 per year to $6,240 per year; and grades 9-12 tuition was increased from $7,200 to $7,488 per year. The bus rate per student per semester remained the same as previous years and is $130. Tuition and bus fees are only applicable to certain non-resident students.

The price of garbage service increased from $18,555 to $19,853.94.

The school calendar was approved, which includes the late start days associated with the new Whole Faculty Study Groups.

The board approved the appointment of Brian Hoover as high school principal, and in his first school board meeting, Edwards was appointed as the new secretary for the district.

An option enrollment request was approved for a kindergartner who is a sibling of a current option student. The board has received other option requests for kindergartners, but has not approved them so far because of the large kindergarten enrollment. They will consider those requests at a later time.

Several board policies were approved, including those relating to the Early Voluntary Separation Program; student fees, material requirements and fines; parental involvement and school volunteers.