Recent incidents within USD 298 schools sparked lively conversation on Facebook among parents on both sides of the issues. Several students become weary of the tone of these debates and have reported being “sick” of it. The adult conversation “embarrasses” them. They “worry” about their teachers. While the discussions are, at times, laced with emotion, the participants typically have some, but not all the information needed to form a fair and unbiased opinion.
A video has been circulating through the Lincoln area Facebook community of a child recognized as a USD 298 student who had just received a sub-par and partially frozen meal at school. A video was made on a student’s phone and shared on SnapChat and Facebook.
Did the meal meet school food service requirements? Maybe, maybe not. Was it planned that way? No. Were the substitutions approved by our head cook? No. Will it happen again? Very doubtful. Was this an intentional attempt to serve sub-par meals to save budget? Absolutely not.
On the other hand, did everyone get fed? Yes, fortunately, they did.
The hot lunches sold out at the high school before several students were able to eat. The district’s head cook happened to be at Lincoln Elementary School when this occurred at the Jr./Sr. High School. An employee took the initiative to find food to feed the remaining students but did not contact her supervisor for advice. If that call had been made, food would have been transferred from the grade school.
This person acted without authority and is no longer with the district.
Food service in schools, hospitals, care facilities etc. is tricky. It would not be an easy task to prepare lunch for every kiddo in town ranging in age and appetite from 6 to 18, especially when they think they want a cold lunch in the morning but change their minds at the last minute. Enough food is prepared so that students are allowed second servings, and sometimes three.
The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) Kansas school sponsors that choose to take part in the lunch program receive reimbursement from USDA for each meal served to eligible students. In return, they must serve lunches that meet federal requirements, and offer reduced price and free lunches to eligible students. School lunches must meet meal pattern and nutrition standards based on the latest Dietary Guidelines for Americans. The current meal pattern increases the availability of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains in the school menu. The meal pattern’s dietary specifications set specific calorie, saturated fat and sodium limits to ensure age-appropriate meals for grades K-5, 6-8, and 9-12. Any student enrolled in a participating school and in the building at the time of lunch service, may purchase a meal through the National School Lunch Program (NSLP). Students from households with incomes at or below 130 percent of the federal poverty level are eligible for free lunches. Those between 130 percent and 185 percent of the poverty level are eligible for reduced price lunches, for which students can be charged no more than 40 cents. Students from households with incomes over 185 percent of the poverty level pay full price, though their lunches are still subsidized with federal and state funds. Local sponsors set their own prices for full price lunches. Public schools and non-profit private schools of high school grade or under are eligible to participate in the NSLP. Residential Child Care Institutions (RCCIs) are also eligible. For more information about the National School Lunch Program, visit the USDA Food and Nutrition Service website at http://www.fns.usda.gov/nslp.
While many schools pass their food service department on to companies such as Opaa! Food Management, Inc., or Chartwell to provide food and set prices, regardless of the amount of reimbursement allocated by the government. USD 298 cannot afford to subsidize the difference between the amount of reimbursement and the cost of meals, nor do they choose to pass the added expense on to the parents of their students. Superintendent Crenshaw, as well as the past two superintendents, have met with these companies and their competitors for service and were denied due to district size and location.
The district is working to get expenditure down in all areas. USD 298 does not qualify for an outside food service therefore saving as much as possible by providing in-house food service. The district might be fortunate among some districts due to the past generosity of many area ranchers who in the past have donated fresh beef to the district. Those donations are typically not available during difficult years for ranchers, are never expected and are always appreciated.
