Hot lunch will be a slightly more expensive purchase for some students beginning next month.

The Dowagiac Union Schools Board of Education voted to increase the price of full pay lunches during their monthly meeting on Monday. Beginning March 1, students enrolled in the full price program will have to pay an additional 10 cents for meals, bringing prices up to $2.45 for elementary school students and $2.55 for middle and high school students.

The bump comes as a result of a Michigan Department of Education audit of the district’s Paid Lunch Equity rate, a value that ensures that the prices of paid lunches produce comparable revenue to the reimbursement given for the free lunch program. This study is mandated annually per the Health Hunger Free Kids Act.

“The state requires that we charge a certain amount for our full pay student lunches,” said Superintendent Paul Hartsig. “They look at how many students are receiving free or reduced lunches in the district. They then use a formula that makes an equitable rate for students paying full price.”

The results of the study found that the district was undercharging for its paid lunches, with the state mandating a 10 cent increase for the 2014-2015 school year, Hartsig said.

“We don’t like to spring surprises like this on our parents,” Hartsig said. “We’re disappointed we have to do this at this time of the year.”

Around 30 percent of the student population is enrolled in the full price lunch program, who are the only ones affected by the jump, Hartsig said.

“Many of those students already bring lunch to school with them everyday,” he said. “It’s hard to nail down who’s eating hot lunch on a regular basis.”

This is the first increase in the lunch prices approved by the board since the 2012-2013 school year, Hartsig said. The district hiked up prices by 10 cents for two consecutive years back in 2007 and 2008.

Breakfast prices will not be affected by this price increase.

Parents with any questions or concerns about lunch prices are encouraged to contact Hartsig, at (269) 782-4400.

“We appreciate the community’s understanding when these things come up,” he said.