JACKSON – School lunches at Northampton County Schools will be more expensive.

On Monday, the Northampton County Board of Education approved to increase the price of a paid lunch by 10 cents in a 5-1 vote.

Assistant Superintendent Phil Matthews presented board members with a decision paper.

“The average cost to produce a meal is $3.02 in North Carolina; the federal reimbursement for a free meal is $2.68; for a reduced price meal $2.48 and for a paid lunch 25 cents,” he said.

“The average cost of a meal to the paid student is $1.95 in North Carolina and $1.50 in Northampton County.”

Matthews continued that the administration recommended increasing the price for a paid lunch from $1.50 to $1.60 in order to assist in defraying the costs of a paid meal.

Board Vice Chair Bill Little made a motion to approve the increase; Charles Tyner offered a second.

The motion passed with Erica Smith-Ingram objecting.