White Mountains school meal debt tops 21K as prices rise

WHITEFIELD — The White Mountains Regional School District is facing unpaid student meal bills totaling $21,028.55 for the current school year as of March 31. This amount is slightly higher than at the same time last year. District officials attribute the rising debt partly to increased meal prices. In June 2024, the school board approved a 20-cent inflation adjustment, raising meal prices to $2.25 for breakfast, $3.25 for elementary lunch, and $3.50 for high school lunch. Free and reduced-price meals are not affected by this increase.