Several years ago, Ellsworth-Kanopolis-Geneseo School Board member Mark Herzog looked at the $88,000 the district lost on food service and said the money was enough to pay the salaries of two teachers.

This past year, with its current meal provider, OPAA!, the loss was reduced to a little more than $30,000.

“We’re not down to paying for two teachers yet, but we’re down to one,” Superintendent Dale Brungardt said Monday night during a board discussion on breakfast and lunch prices.

The issue was tabled after Brungardt said most of the districts he knew about planned to raise their lunch prices a nickel. The Ellsworth district, which served 70,000 lunches this past school year, is expected to see its lunch prices rise by 7.5 cents, the largest increase ever.

The district charges to students are $2.85 for K-4 and $3.10 for grades 5-12 and $3.95 for adults.

Board member Cynthia Edgerle said adding a nickel would not be unreasonable and keep the district from falling behind.

In other business:

• Brungardt showed a series of photographs taken of the construction project at Ellsworth Elementary School. Principal Patrick Schroeder said floors are being finished in the new cafeteria with workers spending most of their time and effort on the gymnasium.

Brungardt said work appears to be on schedule and should meet the July 13 finish date. Engineers are expected to be at the school this week with a punch list to review the project and order repairs, if necessary.

• School board members approved no more than $50,000 from the district’s capital outlay fund to replace playground equipment at the elementary school.

Brungardt showed photos taken by Schroeder of cracks in the current equipment. The principal said he found at least 20 cracks.

“It’s not in very good shape and it puts our students at risk,” Brungardt said.

He said the equipment was installed in 2010. The new equipment, ordered through the Greebush Educational Center, is good for 25 years. Inluded will be a large piece of equipment for climbing, a climbing tunnel and a cozy dome.

• The board accepted a retirement notice from Eugene Ranker as transportation director. They also approved contracts for Eric Anderson as EJSHS science teacher; Emily Thomasson as EES office/teacher aide; and Marshall Musil as assistant high school football coach. The resignations of Judy Ruckman as bus driver and Melissa Williams as EJSHS library aide were accepted.

• Board recognitions included FFA local chapter members, who were named state champions in the Bob Garlow Memorial Triple Crown, making them the No. 1 chapter in Kansas. It was the first time the Ellsworth chapter has received the honor.

In addition, Lukas Sebesta was named state FFA treasurer, the first EHS student to hold a state office since 1968.