DIXFIELD — The RSU 10 board unanimously voted to increase the prices for elementary and secondary lunches Monday night. They also voted to increase the cost for staff meals by 50 cents.

Jeanne Lapointe, director of nutrition, said the federal government has requested an increase so that the cost to students more closely reflects the cost to provide lunches.

At the start of the 2012-13 school year, elementary students will pay $1.95 per lunch, and secondary students will pay $2.20. Adults will pay $4.00.

Youngsters eligible for free lunches will continue as in the past, and reduced-cost lunches also will remain the same.

A couple of board members suggested that adult meals rise from $3.50 to $4.50.

However, Lapointe said the new $4.00 price covers the costs for providing the staff lunches.

“We want teachers eating food in front of our students. It’s positive,” Lapointe said.

Raising lunch prices will not yet bring the food program into the black, said Lapointe.

“But it will go in the right direction,” she said.

Student lunch prices increased by 5 cents last year.

The federal government reimburses the district $2.77 per free lunch, $2.37 for reduced-priced lunches, and 26 cents for full-priced lunches. A combination of state, severe need, and United States Department of Agriculture reimbursements adds another 26 cents to reimbursements, bringing the total to $3.03 per lunch paid to the district. However, the cost to produce each lunch is $3.36.

Six building-based site coordinators who will help support the special services program, were appointed. Still to be named are those for DirigoElementary School, Rumford Elementary School and DirigoHigh School.

The need for building-based site coordinators came about when RSU 10 eliminated a co-director of special services position. Now, just one staff member, Clarissa Errington, handles all special services needs.

Appointed to the new, part-time positions were: Lucy Kochis at DirigoMiddle School; Zachary Reinstein, BuckfieldJunior-SeniorHigh School; Melissa Knauer, Hartford-SumnerElementary School; Lisa Hutchins, MerobyElementary School; Bethany MacDonald, MountainValleyMiddle School; and Andy Steck, MountainValleyHigh School.

Each will receive a stipend for the added work.

Gretchen Fall was named as the new social worker for the Mountain Valley Region, and Lori St. Hilaire was appointed as a three-fifths time nurse for the Nezinscot Region. St. Hilaire is also a two-fifths time nurse at MES.