Coffee County Board of Education members voted to adopt a 4% across‑the‑board pay increase in the general fund and to approve a separate 4% pay increase in the nutrition (school meal) fund, and they approved raising student meal prices by 50¢ for breakfast and 50¢ for lunch.

The board’s debate, which stretched across several motions and a formal motion to reconsider, reflected concerns about fund balance, wage equity between classifications and administrators, and upcoming capital needs. After the committee and multiple roll-call votes the board adopted the 4% option for the general budget and the 4% option for the 143 nutrition fund. The board also approved raising breakfast and lunch prices by 50¢ (proposed new prices: $1.75 breakfast districtwide, $2.75 lunch for pre‑K–5, $3.00 for grades 6–12) while staff pursue federal options to provide free meals.

Board members repeatedly returned to fund‑balance targets and the district’s ongoing capital needs. “We have the largest fund balance ever … I think we’re going to need it,” a board member said during budget discussion, citing upcoming stadium, lights and building work. Other board members argued the district should continue to move to higher pay rates for lower‑paid classified staff rather than provide equal percentage raises across the payroll scale.

On meals, Food Service Director reported she had not raised prices in more than a decade and said a 50¢ increase would help offset rising food and operational costs. Several board members raised the alternative of pursuing the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) or other federal options to make meals free to students; the director said she had an application window through June 30 to pursue the CEP and would seek board support. The board discussed but did not approve a board‑funded transfer from the general fund to cover universal free meals; rather, after discussion the board approved the fee increase while staff continue to pursue federal options.

The board recorded multiple roll-call votes during the session. Staff will implement the approved budget and meal price changes and return with any budget amendments or additional recommendations if federal approvals or new financial details change the district’s projection.

Ending: Board members asked staff to continue to monitor the financial impacts and to bring back any necessary budget amendments. The retroactive timeline for implementation and whether the district will move to any universal‑free plan will depend on final federal decisions and staff follow‑up.