Taos Municipal Schools officials told the board they have increased student participation in school meals after modifying menus to match student preferences and restoring more scratch‑cooked items.

Director of Safety, Security and Operations Marcos J. Herrera highlighted a summer feeding effort that served roughly 1,500 children and added about $10,000 to school nutrition budgets. "This year, we covered, I believe it was, 1,500 children and added an additional $10,000 to the nutrition, budget," Herrera said, noting the program was expanded after student polling identified preferred menu items.

Herrera and nutrition staff said polling and kitchen visits showed students prefer more familiar comfort foods — for example, chili, enchiladas and spaghetti — and do not like turkey burgers. The district has increased on‑site preparation, introducing more scratch‑made meals such as chiles, enchiladas and breads. "If we have the facilities, if we're able to make to prepare foods, to cook foods, there are menu items that the kids would eat," Herrera said. Staff said the district has also increased offerings at Taos High School, where meal participation was a key target this year.

Board members and staff discussed food temperature and service time. Herrera said cafeterias now include grab‑and‑go packaged salads and other items but that most main entrees are prepared on site. No changes to state‑required nutrition compliance were reported; officials said changes followed required procurement and state school nutrition rules.

The district plans to pair food service changes with facilities improvements to improve dining areas, including shade or window treatments at Taos High School; Herrera said the Lohr Foundation and the superintendent contributed to planning for a decorative solar film to reduce heat and improve student comfort.

No formal board action was taken; trustees thanked nutrition staff and asked staff to continue tracking meal counts, costs and equipment or facility needs for future budgeting.