FARMINGTON – SAD 9 directors will be asked Tuesday to consider raising full-pay hot lunch and breakfast prices for the coming school year. Proposed increases range from 30 to 50 cents.

Superintendent Michael Cormier is recommending the increases to offset the rising costs of food. The board meets at 7 p.m. at the Mt. Blue High School library.

Cormier wants breakfast prices increased from 70 cents to $1 at elementary schools for grades kindergarten through six and lunch prices at that level to rise from $1.45 to $1.75.

At the middle and high schools for grades seven through 12, the proposed increases are 80 cents to a $1.15 for breakfast and $1.70 to $2 for lunch.

The largest proposed increases are recommended for adult meal prices to go from $3.25 to $3.75.

Reduced lunch and breakfast prices are recommended to stay the same at 40 cents and 30 cents, respectively.

In a memo to directors, Cormier wrote that he looked at how the district ranks compared with other systems statewide.

At the elementary level there were 27 systems that charged what SAD 9 did or less and 199 that charged more, Cormier stated.

At the high school level there were 14 systems that charged what SAD 9 did or less and 115 that charged more.

Cormier also checked with neighboring school systems to find out what they were planning to charge.

“I know that we have tried to keep our prices low but with the mushrooming cost of food it is very difficult,” Cormier stated.

The maximum amounts that may be charged next year now are $2.25 for students in K-8 and $2.50 for students in grades 9-12, he said.

It is the second increase in two years. SAD 9 directors voted in July 2007 to raise full-pay student lunch prices by 10 cents and 5 cents for breakfasts. Adults’ meals were increased by 25 cents for the 2007-08 school year.

In other business, directors will also consider signing warrants for the proposed closing of Weld Elementary School and set a public hearing for it.

The board will consider Cormier’s recommendations that Dr. John Hickey be re-appointed as district school physician; David Leavitt as truant officer; and Rob Olsen as assistant to the athletic director at a stipend of $10,000.