School board approves accelerated payments to Gordon Food Service to secure 1% discount

The school board approved a staff request to accelerate certain payments to Gordon Food Service so the district can receive a 1% discount offered to customers who pay within 10 days.

Staff said the district purchases roughly 90% of its food supply from Gordon Food Service and that the district’s average monthly bill with that vendor is about $80,000. Staff estimated the prompt‑pay discount could amount to roughly $10,500 in annual savings based on recent billing patterns.

Discussion: Several board members said they appreciated the potential savings but expressed concern that paying invoices more quickly could reduce board visibility into monthly bills and weaken existing financial review processes. One board member said, “I’m a little bit uncomfortable with that myself,” and asked whether the district could achieve the savings without changing internal controls. Staff replied that multiple approvals remain in the process—entries are entered by the food service secretary, approved by the director of food service and again by accounting before payment—and that staff could investigate other timing options.

Formal action: A motion to authorize accelerated payment to Gordon Food Service was moved by Mister Golda and seconded by Mister Parise. The motion passed by roll call.

Operational details: Staff said the vendor’s standard offer is available to all customers—pay within 10 days to receive 1% off—and that invoices are typically processed on the district’s second meeting of the month, producing payment intervals of about 30–60 days. Staff also said the accelerated‑pay arrangement would be visible on the list of bills presented to the board.

Vote: The roll call recorded affirmative votes from trustees recorded on the transcript as Mister Herman, Mister Perise, Mister Hadley, Doctor Farris, Doctor Bidwell and Mister Gilmore.