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North Carolina Students May Go Hungry As School Meal Prices Increase

Author Randi Moultrie
Teacher And Students Eating Lunch In High School Cafeteria During Recess

Things are about to get a bit rough for students looking to purchase meals at school. Between new state laws and an increase in the cost of food and supplies, school districts are beginning to raise the cost of school meals.

WHY?

WRAL reports that government meal assistance programs are on their way to expiring. As a result, thousands of North Carolina students may get millions fewer free meals this summer. Students who do not qualify for free or subsidized meals may be paying up to hundreds more for meals come this fall. WRAL reports that this price increase could lead to a decline in performances as some students may go hungry.

The expansion of a key federal meal-cost relief program is scheduled to expire on June 30. Meanwhile, there is a bipartisan bill to extend the program waiting in the US Senate. School districts are grappling with how to cover rising costs. Several school districts, including those in Wake, Durham and Johnston counties, are raising their meal prices. “All of these issues are going to make it more complicated for families to be able to assure that their children get access to these meals,” said Tamara Baker to WRAL.

The expanded federal program enables free meals to all students and reduces barriers to summer meal programs in lower-income communities. These barriers helped more than 100,000 to 200,000 North Carolina children. When the assistance program was extended, the government made meals more accessible by offering delivery services. When the program expires, then the delivery services will go away for the summer.

With an increase in gas prices and in meal services, officials believe many students will not be able to travel for their meals this summer. The expiration of the federal program will also reduce federal free meal reimbursements for schools. The school systems that have already approved raising school meal prices, include:

  • Wake County Public School System
  • Durham Public Schools
  • Johnston County Schools
  • Roanoke Rapids Graded School District
  • Granville County Schools
  • Harnett County Schools
  • Franklin County Schools

For more on the story and possibilities of the school meals increase, click here.


Here are the Best 20 Public School Districts In North Carolina For 2022

  • 20. Bumcombe County Schools

    Buncombe County Schools is an above-average, public school district. It has 23,669 students in grades K-12 with a student-teacher ratio of 15 to 1. According to state test scores, 45% of students are at least experienced in math and 48% in reading. It is number 20 ranked overall in North Carolina. It is ranked number four for Best School Districts in Asheville Area. They ranked a B+. You can see more on this school district and its rankings here.

  • 19. Orange County Schools

    Orange County Schools was ranked as the #3 Best School District in Raleigh Area. The overall score ranked is a B+. Orange County Schools is an above-average, public school district located in Hillsborough, North Carolina. It has 7,456 students in grades PK, K-12 with a student-teacher ratio of 14 to 1. According to state test scores, 43% of students are at least experienced in math and 46% in assignments. You can read more on the school’s ranking here.

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    Posted by Orange County Schools, NC on Thursday, March 17, 2022

  • 18. Henderson County Schools

    This school ranked at a B+. Henderson County Schools is an above-average, public school district located in Hendersonville, North Carolina. It has 13,396 students in grades K-12 with a student-teacher ratio of 15 to 1. According to state test scores, 50% of students are at least experienced in math and 54% in reading. This school was named #3 in Best School Districts in Asheville Area. You can see the overall ranking here.

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    Posted by Henderson County Public Schools on Wednesday, March 23, 2022

  • 17. Cabarrus County Schools

    Cabarrus County Schools is ranked as the #6 in Best School Districts in Charlotte Area. It received an A-. Cabarrus County Schools is a positively rated, public school district located in Concord, North Carolina. It has 33,658 students in grades PK, K-12 with a student-teacher ratio of 17 to 1. According to state test scores, 50% of students are at least proficient in math and 52% in reading. You can see more on this school district ranking here.

  • 16. New Hanover County Schools

    Overall this school district ranked as an A-. New Hanover County Schools is a highly rated, public school district located in Wilmington, North Carolina. It is the #16 Best School District in North Carolina. It has 25,938 students in grades PK, K-12 with a student-teacher ratio of 15 to 1. According to state test scores, 51% of students are at least proficient in math and 53% in reading. You can see more on this school district ranking here.

  • 15. Yancey County Schools

    It is ranked as the #15 Best School District in North Carolina. This district is in Burnsville, North Carolina, and got an A-. Yancey County Schools is a highly rated, public school district located in Burnsville, North Carolina. It has 2,124 students in grades PK, K-12 with a student-teacher ratio of 14 to 1. According to state test scores, 49% of students are at least proficient in math and 47% in reading. You can see more on the ranking here.

  • 14. Carteret County Public Schools

    This district was named #14 in Best School Districts in North Carolina. It received an A- ranking. Carteret County Public Schools is a highly rated, public school district located in Beaufort, North Carolina. It has 8,190 students in grades PK, K-12 with a student-teacher ratio of 14 to 1. According to state test scores, 54% of students are at least proficient in math and 59% in reading. You can see more on the ranking here.

    Enjoy the beautiful music from the BCMS Jazz Band, directed by Brian Edmonds, performing at the NC Homeless Education Conference at the Beaufort Hotel and Conference Center today. 🎶🎺#BrighterTogether

    Posted by Carteret County Public School System on Tuesday, March 22, 2022

  • 13. Dare County Schools

    Dare County Schools were named #13 in Best School Districts in North Carolina. It is located in Nags Head, North Carolina. It received an overall A-. It has 5,388 students in grades PK, K-12 with a student-teacher ratio of 14 to 1. According to state test scores, 48% of students are at least proficient in math and 55% in reading. You can see the ranking here.

     

  • 12. Surry County Schools

    Named the #12 Best School Districts in North Carolina. It received an A- ranking overall. Surry County Schools is a highly rated, public school district located in Dobson, North Carolina. It has 7,589 students in grades PK, K-12 with a student-teacher ratio of 15 to 1. According to state test scores, 48% of students are at least proficient in math and 50% in reading. You can see more on the ranking here.

  • 11. Lincoln County Schools

    This district is ranked #11 for Best School District in North Carolina. It received an overall A-. Lincoln County Schools is a highly rated, public school district located in LINCOLNTON, NC. It has 11,571 students in grades PK, K-12 with a student-teacher ratio of 16 to 1. According to state test scores, 50% of students are at least proficient in math and 54% in reading. You can see more on the overall ranking here.

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    Posted by Lincoln County Schools, NC on Monday, March 28, 2022

  • 10. Elkin City Schools

    It is ranked as the #10 Best School District in North Carolina. Elkin City Schools is a highly rated, public school district located in Elkin, North Carolina. It got an overall score of an A-. It has 1,219 students in grades PK, K-12 with a student-teacher ratio of 14 to 1. According to state test scores, 53% of students are at least proficient in math and 62% in reading. You can see more on the overall ranking here.

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    Posted by Elkin City Schools on Friday, March 25, 2022

  • 9. Newton Conover City Schools

    Ranked as the number 9 best school district in North Carolina. Newton Conover City Schools is a highly rated, public school district located in Newton, North Carolina. It has 3,001 students in grades PK, K-12 with a student-teacher ratio of 16 to 1. According to state test scores, 38% of students are at least proficient in math and 44% in reading. You can see more on this overall ranking here.

  • 8. Wake County Schools

    Located in Cary, North Carolina this district is ranked as the #2 in Best School Districts in Raleigh Area. It received an overall A-. Wake County Schools is a highly rated, public school district located in Cary, North Carolina. It has 163,404 students in grades PK, K-12 with a student-teacher ratio of 16 to 1. According to state test scores, 50% of students are at least proficient in math and 56% in reading. You can see more on the overall ranking here.

    Posted by Wake County Public School System on Monday, March 28, 2022

  • 7. Mount Airy City Schools

    Ranked as the #1 in Best School Districts in Surry County, this district is in Mount Airy, North Carolina. They received an overall A-. Mount Airy City Schools is a highly rated, public school district located in MOUNT AIRY, NC. It has 1,640 students in grades PK, K-12 with a student-teacher ratio of 14 to 1. According to state test scores, 43% of students are at least proficient in math and 47% in reading. You can see more on the ranking here.

  • 6. Mooresville Graded School District

    Mooresville Graded School District is a highly rated, public school district located in MOORESVILLE, NC. It has 6,080 students in grades PK, K-12 with a student-teacher ratio of 16 to 1. According to state test scores, 54% of students are at least proficient in math and 55% in reading. The overall ranking is an A-. You can see more about this ranking here.

    RRES Boosterthon!

    It was a beautiful day for a Boosterthon! The Rocky River Elementary School PIT Crew (Parent Involvement Team) partnered with Boosterthon to provide a Fun Run for students while raising funds to benefit their school. The Fun Run was a culmination of two weeks of pledges by families and friends, as well as students learning about fitness and character through daily lessons during morning announcements. A goal of $50,000 was set and as of this morning that goal was within reach with over $49,000 raised!The PIT Crew is raising the funds to resurface the playground areas to make them safer and more accessible to all students.A big thank you to Walmart for donating 600 water bottles for the event!

    Posted by Mooresville Graded School District on Friday, March 25, 2022

  • 5. Asheville City Schools

    Overall this school district received an A. Asheville City Schools is a highly rated, public school district located in Asheville, North Carolina. It has 4,443 students in grades PK, K-12 with a student-teacher ratio of 12 to 1. According to state test scores, 46% of students are at least proficient in math and 59% in reading. It is ranked as the #2 Best School District in Asheville Area. You can see more on the ranking here.

  • 4. Watauga County Schools

    They were ranked as the #4 in Best School District in North Carolina. This school district is located in Boone, North Carolina. It has 4,756 students in grades PK, K-12 with a student-teacher ratio of 13 to 1. According to state test scores, 52% of students are at least proficient in math and 59% in reading. You can see more on the ranking of this district here.

  • 3. Union County Public Schools

    Union County Public Schools is a highly rated, public school district located in MONROE, NC. It has 41,707 students in grades PK, K-12 with a student-teacher ratio of 16 to 1. According to state test scores, 63% of students are at least proficient in math and 60% in reading. It received an overall A as its ranking. You can see more on the ranking here.

  • 2. Polk County Schools

    Polk County Schools is a highly rated, public school district located in COLUMBUS, NC. It has 2,201 students in grades PK, K-12 with a student-teacher ratio of 13 to 1. According to state test scores, 58% of students are at least proficient in math and 62% in reading. It received an overall A as its ranking. It is the number 2 school district in North Carolina. You can see more on the ranking here.

  • 1. Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools

    This is the only school district to receive a big old A+! This is the #1 Best School District in North Carolina. Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools is a top-rated, public school district located in CHAPEL HILL, NC. It has 12,426 students in grades PK, K-12 with a student-teacher ratio of 14 to 1. According to state test scores, 64% of students are at least proficient in math and 67% in reading. You can see more on this ranking here.

 

Randi Moultrie is a Charleston, South Carolina native and has been in the radio industry for the last few years in Charlotte. Randi started with Beasley Media Group as an intern in 2019 and is now thriving in the digital world. Randi enjoys writing about her favorite foods (especially pizza) and all things fashion and travel. As one who loves taking trips to find new foods, it’s not surprising that she enjoys writing about both!

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