School lunch prices were the main point of focus at last week’s Shamong Board of Education meeting.
Board Secretary Marie Goodwin held a meeting with Nutri-Serve, the company that supplies the food for both the elementary school and the middle school.
“This year, we are $20,000 in the hole with our food service program,” Goodwin said.
Fortunately in the contract the district has with Nutri-Serve, there is a break-even agreement that will negate any losses the school may have incurred.
The cost of food for the district has increased as a result of what they are required to serve by law.
There is a federal requirement of how much a lunch must cost, and this goes up each year.
“The government reimburses us on a certain amount but only if we charge what they require,” Goodwin said.
To reach requirements, the district will be raising the IMS lunch price from $2.55 to $2.70.
This new price is nearly as much as the middle school lunch, which is $2.75, but the lunches are virtually the same.
“After talking to the middle school kids, the consensus seemed to be that most of them did not buy lunch anymore because it is the same lunch that the little guys get, and that just isn’t enough food for them,” board Vice President Michael Tuman said.
Goodwin and the board are working on adding a premium lunch for $3 to raise participation in buying lunch.
“We’re going to talk to one of our local restaurants and work something out to bring in something that the kids will really like,” Goodwin said.
They are also forming a wellness and nutrition advisory committee consisting of the superintendent, business administrators, principals, teachers, parents, community members and coaches.
The last thing the board will now be looking into is the lunchtime portal, an Internet-based program in which parents will be able to pay for lunches ahead of time. The program also sends reminder notices for days that are not accounted for.
“I think this would be very convenient for parents,” Goodwin said.
In other news:
• On May 14, Levy Construction was approved to take over the windows and doors installation, E-stock Construction was approved to do the air conditioning project, and CM3 Building Solutions was approved to install the 20 to 22 security cameras. The main goals for these projects is to get all the inside work done before the 2015–2016 school year begins and begin the outside work afterward.
• More capital improvements on the horizon were also discussed. The school district is looking to repaint and recoat the gym floor at the middle school and is also looking to make the side basketball hoops electric as opposed to the current system used to raise and lower the hoop, which requires a drill. It will also look into replacing the storm drains out front of IMMS. Lastly, infield restoration for both the baseball and the softball fields is a high priority.
• Lee Jendrisak will be retiring at the end of the year. She has been a teacher assistant with the district for many years. Nicole Espenberg will also be leaving at years end. Espenberg is the supervisor of the child study team and will be taking on a position with the Evesham school district when she leaves.
