MARYSVILLE — Shortly after passing a new budget that includes cuts in basic education and the system nursing program, school officials also moved Aug. 4 to increase the price of student lunches and breakfasts.

Milk prices also will increase.

According to district Finance Director Jim Baker, the cost of school breakfasts and lunches will go up 50 cents across the board for the coming school year.

For elementary grade students, breakfast will now cost $1.75, while lunches will be $2.75

At higher grade levels, the cost of breakfast was set at $2, while lunches will carry a price tag of $3.

For milk, prices are set to go up 10 cents, from 40 cents to 50 cents.

Baker told the school board of directors the district needs the increases to offset the rising cost of food coming into the district. As examples, he offered that milk prices have increased 12 percent, while cheese has gone up 15 percent. The cost of bread has risen 17 percent, Baker said.

According to Baker, surrounding districts also have upped the cost of their food offerings. He further claimed the new Marysville prices are in line with what is being charged in neighboring school systems.

While they ultimately approved the new charges in a 3-1 vote, the changes were not popular with the school board of directors. Board Vice-President Sherri Crenshaw described the increases “as kind of steep.”

At first, no board director seemed willing to move to approve the increases, but board member Michael Kundu ultimately made the motion.

“We need to do it,” he said simply.

Board President Cindy Erickson seconded the motion after earlier noting the price of Marysville school food offerings have not gone up for at least a few years.

With one member absent, board member Darci Becker cast the only vote against the new pricing.