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The Anson County Board of Education unanimously approved an increase in meal prices for both elementary and secondary schools during the regular monthly meeting on Monday night, April 30.

Child nutrition administrator Angela Griffin wrote a memo to the school board, saying that the increase is necessary due to a requirement for all schools participating in the National School Lunch Program. Under the policy, school systems are required to meet a minimum average price of $2.46 for paid lunches.

The price increases for the 2012-13 school year are: an increase of 5 cents for elementary and secondary school lunches, from $2.05 to $2.10 for elementary schools, and from $2.30 to $2.35 for secondary schools. The breakfast price for both elementary and secondary schools has also been increased from $1.00 to $1.15.

Chief Operating Officer Michael Freeman pointed out that breakfast prices had not been increased since 2009-10. Freeman said the increases were also necessary because of the state’s mandate for healthier eating. “As anyone who is trying to eat healthier knows, healthier food is more expensive,” he said. “The intent is good. We have 73 new rules we have to implement, and we need to gradually move forward.”

The price increases were approved unanimously as part of the school board’s consent action items.

Also approved were:

• the proposed budget for the 2012-13 school year and various budget amendments and lottery applications.
• an amendment to add a summer program to the school district’s ombudsman program.
• contracts with Atlantic Research Partners to provide site-specific training to teachers and administration and with Brantley Electronic Supply to provide VGA adapters for Apple laptops.
• a two-year technology plan.
• an AIG plan to provide a program for academically gifted students. “This will be the first time we’ve had a K-12 program,” said Georgia Maner, supervisor for assessment, AIG and iTech. A total of 87 students have already been identified for the program, she added, with 41 of those being minorities.

The board also voted unanimously to have a “conversation” with the county commissioners, rather than the annual joint meeting. School board chair Lisa Davis said she and Commission Chair Anna Baucom will work together and come up with questions and answers, and will share their information with each other, then with their respective boards.

The school board also voted unanimously to move its May meeting to Tuesday, May 29, at 5:30 p.m. at the Charles Riddle Staff Development Center located at 320 Camden Road, Wadesboro. The board will go into closed session at 5:30 p.m. and open the meeting to the public at around 6:30 p.m.