Spokane school board to vote on raising lunch prices, other budget changes

A budget that the Spokane Public Schools board is expected to approve Wednesday night could increase the price of after-school care and school meals.

The preliminary budget attempts to reallocate $5.6 million in the $369 million budget, after pay raises were negotiated between the district and the Spokane Education Association in September.

The proposed budget increases Express Child Care fees by 5 percent and increases lunch prices by 10 cents. Both increases would go into effect Nov. 1. The budget also would suspend the start of a proposed dual-language program and the proposed expansion of the Odyssey program for gifted students. Additionally, central district administrators won’t receive a cost-of-living adjustment and overtime hours will be reduced. Of the $5.6 million adjustments, $1.4 million are one-time adjustments.

The board was presented an earlier version of the proposed budget on Sept. 30.