# Elkhorn Schools Approve Meal Price Hikes, Name Next Superintendent  
**Published:** 2026-06-11T20:35:00.000Z  
**Source:** [Flatwater Free Press](https://flatwaterfreepress.org/elkhorn-school-board-approves-price-increases-for-meals-decides-on-next-district-superintendent/)  
**AI-generated:** yes (claude-haiku-4-5-20251001)  
**Canonical:** https://lincolne.news/article/elkhorn-schools-approve-meal-price-hikes-name-next-superintendent

ELKHORN, Neb. — [The Elkhorn Public Schools Board approved meal price increases and announced its next superintendent at a June 8 meeting](https://flatwaterfreepress.org/elkhorn-school-board-approves-price-increases-for-meals-decides-on-next-district-superintendent/), signaling significant changes ahead for the growing suburban district.

The board voted to increase breakfast prices by 10 cents across all schools and lunch prices by 10 cents at elementary schools for the 2026-2027 school year. Board members also approved increases in parent-pay bus rates, though specific amounts were not detailed. The increases come as the district, which serves over 11,000 students across 22 schools in northwest Omaha and Elkhorn, continues managing operational costs.

[The board named Dr. Don Pechous, the district's executive director of personnel, as superintendent-elect](https://omaha.com/news/community/article_27a7bb3b-e570-5f28-855a-2292e4e63550.html). Pechous will assume the position effective July 1, 2027, following the retirement of current Superintendent Dr. Bary Habrock, who has led the district since July 2017. Habrock was approved for a one-year contract extending through June 2027.

Pechous represents a continuation of the district's long-standing succession planning tradition. With more than 20 years of experience in Elkhorn Public Schools and nearly 30 years in education overall, Pechous began his career as a fifth-grade teacher at Spring Ridge Elementary in 2001 before advancing to principal roles at both Westridge and Spring Ridge elementary schools. He became director of personnel in 2013 and assumed his current executive director position in 2017. The board selected him from two internal candidates.

The board also recognized student and staff achievements during the meeting. High school students Niharika Kandari and Camden Parks were selected for the 2026-2027 National Council for Hope Squad, an honor given to only 50 students nationwide. Student Athreya Reddy placed fourth in the Biomedical and Health Sciences category at the Regeneron International Science & Engineering Fair representing Nebraska. Teacher Melissa Peterson was named Outstanding Teacher of American History by the Omaha Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Seven students — Carson Deprez, Rhana Kang, Alex Morrison, Gage Petrick, Yuridia Hernandez-Tapia, Johnathan Wu and Erica Zhang — were selected for the 2026 All Metro Academic Team by the Omaha World-Herald.

## Sources

- [Flatwater Free Press](https://flatwaterfreepress.org/elkhorn-school-board-approves-price-increases-for-meals-decides-on-next-district-superintendent/)
- [Omaha.com article on Dr. Don Pechous being named superintendent-elect](https://omaha.com/news/community/article_27a7bb3b-e570-5f28-855a-2292e4e63550.html)

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This article was generated by AI (claude-haiku-4-5-20251001) based on source material from Flatwater Free Press, enriched with 2 web searches. The original source is available at https://flatwaterfreepress.org/elkhorn-school-board-approves-price-increases-for-meals-decides-on-next-district-superintendent/.