Granite Falls adopts HealthyPro software; superintendent flags $50,000 in school meal debt

Superintendent Dana Giesland told the Granite Falls School Board that the district has purchased HealthyPro, a menu-planning and nutrition software, to replace paper-based meal documentation and simplify USDA reporting and nutrient analysis.

"It's money well spent," Giesland said, adding the software will make it easier to produce allergen and nutrient reports and reduce manual calculations required of the food-services supervisor. A staff member identified in the meeting as Marshall said the system "integrates all the nutritional information and ensures that we're meeting the standards for how meals are comprised."

Giesland also briefed the board on the district's meal debt. She said Granite Falls currently carries about $50,000 in unpaid meal balances. The superintendent told the board four of the district's five schools are offering free meals this year; Granite Falls High School remains the only school not on the free-meal program and that choice, Giesland said, has helped slow the district's debt accrual.

The superintendent said district food-services staff are using regular outreach'including weekly calls and emails and targeted contact on large accounts'to reduce outstanding balances. She said she has asked Marshall to raise the question of meal-debt treatment with state auditors during the district's ongoing audit to clarify options for addressing persistent debt while ensuring students continue to receive meals.

Giesland asked the board to consider balancing the district's obligation to feed students with the need to limit unpaid liabilities that reduce the basic fund. The board did not take immediate formal action on the item; Marshall said auditors are expected back after spring break and the superintendent said she would follow up with the board with any auditor guidance.