Thanksgiving Dinner Gets Pricier, Schools Face Tough Choices: A Tale of Two Crises
A double dose of unsettling news is hitting Americans this week. As families prepare for Thanksgiving, a severe bird flu outbreak has sent turkey prices skyrocketing, while simultaneously, declining birth rates and shifting demographics are forcing difficult decisions about the future of public schools in Montgomery County, Maryland. This is a developing story with implications for household budgets and community infrastructure.
Turkey Prices Hit 40-Year High Ahead of Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving dinner is about to cost a lot more. According to data released November 5, 2025, wholesale turkey prices have jumped a shocking 75% to $1.71 per pound, driven by a devastating bird flu outbreak that has decimated turkey production. The U.S. has seen a loss of 5 million turkeys this year, the lowest production level in four decades. This translates to a potential $31 price tag for a 15-pound turkey – before any discounts.
“Supermarket chains may absorb some of the increases,” explains Bankrate’s Mark Hamrick, “and use turkey as a lead item to attract customers. They know if you come in for turkey, you’re going to buy more stuff.” Expect to see promotional price cuts, but don’t anticipate a return to pre-outbreak prices. This situation highlights the fragility of our food supply chain and the impact of animal diseases on consumer costs. It’s a stark reminder that even a traditionally affordable holiday meal can be vulnerable to external shocks.
Beyond turkey, overall grocery prices remain elevated, up over 3% year-over-year. While egg prices have stabilized, consumers are still facing increases in staples like bread (up 2%), canned vegetables (up 5%), and, surprisingly, coffee (a significant 41% increase). Smart shoppers should actively seek out sales and consider alternative main courses if budget is a concern. This isn’t just a Thanksgiving issue; it’s a broader trend of inflationary pressures on everyday essentials.
Montgomery County Schools Grapple with Declining Enrollment
Meanwhile, in Montgomery County, Maryland, a different kind of crisis is unfolding. Public school enrollment has plummeted, dropping by 2,641 students between the 2024-2025 and 2025-2026 school years, bringing the total to approximately 156,500 students. Superintendent Thomas Taylor attributes this decline to a combination of factors: falling birth rates (down from 13,200 births in 2014 to 10,900 in 2023), decreased kindergarten enrollment (from 11,600 to 9,900 over the same period), and a halving of the international student population since the COVID-19 pandemic.
To address this shrinking student body, the district is considering delaying the opening of the new Gaithersburg Crown High School and repurposing it as a temporary housing site for other schools while enrollment needs are reassessed. This proposal, part of the 2027-2032 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP), has sparked community concerns. The situation is particularly acute in some areas, with forecasts predicting 957 vacant high school seats in the Crown Bounds study area by 2027-28 – a dramatic reversal from previous projections of overcrowding.
This isn’t a new phenomenon. Montgomery County schools peaked at 165,300 students in 2019-2020, then experienced a sharp decline during the COVID-19 pandemic, falling to 152,200 in 2021-2022. While a brief rebound occurred, the downward trend has resumed. The district emphasizes the need for efficient use of school buildings, pointing out that school openings and closures have historically been linked to enrollment fluctuations. However, the scale of the current decline presents a unique challenge.
Evergreen Insight: Declining enrollment isn’t unique to Montgomery County. Across the United States, many school districts are facing similar demographic shifts. This trend is driven by factors like declining birth rates, increased housing costs, and migration patterns. School districts must adapt by consolidating resources, exploring alternative uses for school buildings, and investing in programs that attract and retain students.
These two seemingly unrelated stories – the rising cost of Thanksgiving dinner and the challenges facing public schools – paint a picture of a nation grappling with economic pressures and demographic changes. Staying informed about these developments is crucial for navigating the challenges ahead and making informed decisions as consumers and community members. For more breaking news and in-depth analysis, continue to check back with archyde.com.
