THE COST OF A GOOD MEAL – High prices drive USD 257 to re-examine food service

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February 10, 2014 - 12:00 AM

School districts across the state are ringing in hefty foodservice bills and USD 257 is one of them. Last year the district spent around $250,000 in foodservice expenses. They are looking for significant cuts.
The cost came to the attention of Jack Koehn, superintendent of schools, shortly after he started working with the district last summer.
“Using this money for the foodservice is hurting the kids in the classroom,” Koehn said.
Board of education members have also expressed concern about the high food costs and Koehn quickly began looking for foodservice alternatives.
District foodservice employees have tried their best to cut costs, Koehn said.
“I think Colleen (Riebel, foodservice director) has done the best she can, do but we’re at a point where it’s just too expensive to do anymore,” Koehn said.
Steve Adams, OPAA business development adviser and a retired superintendent, approached USD 257 late last year to manage  the district’s program. OPAA is a foodservice company out of Chesterfield, Mo., that provides homestyle meals from scratch.
“The company gave a feasibility study and gave us an idea of how much we could save by switching,” Koehn said.
At tonight’s board of education meeting, members will vote on approving food service requests for proposals.
“Hopefully the board will approve it and we can get KSDE’s approval.”
If approved it will open up bids for the district and Koehn hopes to receive several bids. Chartwell will present to the school board tonight on how it’s company could service the district. Adams represented OPAA at a meeting in October.
“I think they (OPAA) are a horse in the race for us,” Koehn said.
Riebel will also address members.

THERE are 20 schools in Kansas that use an outside foodservice company to manage their food service.. Seventeen of those schools are with OPPA. Another 20 schools will go with a similar company within the next year. Koehn has spoken with multiple superintendents throughout the state who have switched their foodservice programs.
Santa Fe Trail, Carbondale, signed a contract with OPAA this year. Steve Pegram, superintendent of schools for Santa Fe Trail, said switching to OPAA this year has saved the district a substational amount of money.
“We love it,” Pegram said about OPAA’s program. “We were putting $116,000 into our foodservice program before. So far this year we have spent $67,000 less.”
Just like  USD 257, Santa Fe Trail was wanting to also save money and provide the students with wholesome food options.
“The kids love the options,” he said. “Most of our meals were heat and serve.”
“There are few contracted services that can save us money like this did,” he said. “It frees up from the general funds and provides a better meal.”
Koehn would also like to free up the money in USD 257.
“I can’t ignore the money we’d be saving if we don’t go with it,” he said.

WITH big change there are always big concerns. If USD 257 were to choose an outside foodservice company what would happen to the district’s employees? OPAA has given the district the option of keeping the current district foodservice employees. The foodservice would do the menu and manage the employees who would prepare the meals. The  other option is that the foodservice program would have its own employees.
“OPAA met with our staff and has said that they are willing to take on the district employees,” Koehn said.
The benefits that OPAA would offer employees would make the difference.
“We don’t want to make this change on the backs of our employees,” Koehn said.
There are currently 28 USD 257 foodservice employees. The district have set a goal to switch to an outside foodservice company by July 1.
“I’m excited to be saving substational money to use in the classroom for things like technology,” Koehn said.

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