POINT PLEASANT — As prices for goods keep going up, Mason County Schools considered raising the prices it charges for meals.

But during a meeting last week, members of the Mason County Board of Education voted against a proposal to raise the cost of breakfast and lunch for students and adults by at least 10 cents.

Treasurer Chris Campbell said the system has not raised the cost of meals for students for the past four years. Last year, the board raised adults’ meal prices.

Proposed prices included 95 cents for elementary and secondary breakfast; $1.30 for elementary lunch; $1.55 for secondary lunch; 25 cents for an extra milk; $3 for adult breakfast and $3.75 for adult lunch.

Although board members agreed that the cost of food is expensive, they were not enthusiastic about raising prices for those who would have to pay the full cost of a meal.

“These are hard times for everybody,” member Mick Cottrill said.

Superintendent Dr. Larry Parsons said the food prices are a budget concern for the system, and Campbell said the price increase does not reflect the actual cost of the purchase of food, adding that the system would still lose money on meals with the purchase of other supplies.

Member Matt Thompson said that if the prices had to be increased, it was best to do it in small increments.

Board Vice President Teresa Warner said she understood but wondered if the increase would affect those who receive meals at a reduced price or free. After Campbell said no, Warner said the new price would be appropriate if students were getting enough food to eat or eating what was being served.

Point Pleasant Junior Senior High School student Gabriel Starcher presented a survey he conducted during the first semester of the school year. He said the students and staff replied that they would like to have more choices as well as more proportioned meals served. He presented his findings to the school administration.

Warner told Starcher she appreciated his initiative and that the board would look into the suggestions.

Board members rejected the proposed increase by a vote of 3-1, with Thompson voting for the increase. Board President Tom Nunnery was absent from the meeting.

In other business:

• In an attempt to better market the former middle school property for auction, the board will present a request to the City of Point Pleasant about rezoning the property.

Board members agreed to ask the city to change the zoning of the site that contains the former Point Pleasant Middle School and athletic field and the system’s maintenance and transportation departments from an S-1 Special to B-3 for highway and general business.

The building was closed following the end of the 2007-08 school year when students were consolidated at the renovated Point Pleasant Junior Senior High School. The middle school building and a portion of the property was placed for auction, but at that time, the football stadium was not included because the football team needed a place to play.

No bids were received during the first auction.

Member Dale Shobe asked if it was necessary to have the property rezoned to a business in case someone wanted to construct an apartment building or other residential dwelling on the site.

“This would allow the buyer to have it rezoned if necessary,” Shobe said, also remarking that the school was there prior to the city’s zoning ordinance.

Warner said she had concerns that if it was not zoned as a business, it might inhibit the selling of the property.

“Commercial property will be easier to sell,” Parsons said. “Not only will it bring in money for the schools, but it will give revenue to the city as well. I am committed to selling this property.”

The board agreed to make the request at the next city council meeting.

• The meeting adjourned at 8:10 p.m.

The next meeting will be 6 p.m. Tuesday, April 21.