HIGHLAND | Lawrence Vassar was chosen Tuesday as School Board president for the eighth time in his 26-year tenure on the board.

Members also chose to retain Luanne Jurczak as vice president.

A three-member vote took place for the two lead positions. Board member Robert Kuva was absent and member Dave Turoci abstained.

Vassar switched titles with Carol Green-Fraley, now board secretary.

He thanked Green-Fraley "for two years of leadership and a job well done."

Board approvals included a nickel increase on school milk prices to "weather the variable prices since there are no other cost-saving measures we can take or make to a carton of milk," said Lynn Kwilasz, finance director.

New rates are 40 cents for a carton of milk for the upcoming school year as opposed to the existing 35 cents based on the predicted 8 percent to 30 percent cost increase noted from Pleasant View Dairy, the district's vendor.

But Highland's school lunch prices will remain the same, Kwilasz said, unlike many of the neighboring districts, where lunch and milk prices rose.

"Even with this nickel increase, the School Town of Highland will still be among the lowest per carton price for milk in this area," Kwilasz said.

The board also approved student textbook rental and fees.

Fees remained consistent among the elementary schools for each grade with the exception of first grade at Johnston Elementary School, Kwilasz said.

Johnston's first-grade fee is $177 for the 2008-09 school year, compared to $166 for Merkley, Southridge and Warren elementary schools.

Kwilasz said the three schools chose the same textbooks but Johnston's teachers selected a different book.

Other elementary rental fees range from $80 to $155.

The cost increase from the previous school year to 2008-09 is less than 2 percent, and for some grade levels, the total cost decreased, Kwilasz said.

Other items of business included Superintendent Michael Boskovich's recommendations to retain the School Board appointments, Rhett Tauber as board attorney and Kwilasz as finance director.

In board president appointments, Green-Fraley and Turoci were voted as representatives for the Highland Chamber of Commerce.

Vassar said Highland's Town Council chose Turoci as its board representative for a two-year appointment.