The Hutchinson School Board Monday approved fees for 2013-14 that include a higher textbook fee to offset the elimination of a separate fee. The $5 increase will be used to offset an instrumental rental fee that was charged. The board also approved a modest increase in meal prices.

The board approved increasing textbook fees $5 for all students to $55 from $50. Unlike many districts, USD 308 has only one enrollment fee for books and classes instead of a base fee with a variety of class fees added onto the base.

They also approved an increase of 15 cents a meal for full-pay lunches and a dime increase in full-pay breakfasts. The increase is required by federal Department of Agriculture regulations for evaluating meal prices.

The board also paved the way for the district to enter into an agreement with Southeast Kansas Education Service Center at Greenbush to provide a virtual school experience for students in USD 308 who want that option. Known as Greenbush Online Learning, the program provides a virtual school for participating districts.