The cost of meals at Bigfork public schools is increasing for the 2025-26 school year.

The school board voted Aug. 20 to approve food service price hikes. Milk will rise from 35 cents to 60 cents, breakfast will increase by 25 cents, and lunch will go up by 50 cents.

“Just like groceries in the grocery store, all of our prices are going up,” said Bigfork Superintendent Tom Stack.

Elementary students will now pay $2 for breakfast and $3.25 for lunch. Middle and high school students will pay $2.25 for breakfast and $3.75 for lunch.

Stack said Bigfork’s prices remain low compared to other districts and that the fees cover the costs of food, labor and equipment. The district also purchased new ovens for the school kitchen, which Stack said were overdue for replacement.

Meal prices for adults, which are set by the federal government, are $3 for breakfast and $5.25 for lunch.

“We have zero control over that,” Stack said.

At the same meeting, the board approved a pay increase for substitute teachers. Certified substitutes will earn $105 per day, up from $95. Non-certified substitutes will earn $100, up from $90.

For comparison, the district noted that Columbia Falls pays $135 per day for both certified and non-certified substitutes. Somers-Lakeside pays $130 and $120, respectively, while Swan River pays $100 for both categories.

Long-term substitutes in Bigfork will see their daily rate increase from $124 to $135.

The board also approved a $3-per-hour raise for paraprofessionals assigned to the Life Skills Program. The adjustment was made through a memorandum of understanding between the district and the Bigfork Unified Classified union.

Stack said the district struggles to retain staff in those roles.

“It takes a special skill set to work in the classroom day in and day out,” he said.