Board discussion stalls on kosher‑meals agreement; approval fails for lack of motion
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Summary
The Beverly Hills Unified School District board discussed a proposed contract with LA Kosher Grill to provide kosher meals but ultimately withdrew the item and it failed for lack of motion after trustees requested more information about pricing and implementation options.
The Beverly Hills Unified School District board discussed but did not approve a proposed agreement with LA Kosher Grill to provide kosher meals for students. The item was pulled for additional study after trustees and staff raised questions about pricing, vendor responsiveness and how the program would be implemented.
District staff described two contracting approaches: Option A, where the vendor prepares full kosher meals offsite; and Option B, a supervision/labor model in which the district would supply food commodities and the vendor would provide kosher supervision and staffing to prepare meat entrees on district premises. Doctor Hasty explained the district planned to supply many food items from existing commodity and contracted sources and that "the $2.65 is is pretty much for the labor." He added that the program "does not touch our general fund at all" and said the nutrition program operates with sufficient surplus to absorb small differences.
Trustees pressed for more details. Trustee Manacheri said she wanted the district to solicit or consider a second vendor and asked for a clearer vision of what the district wants for food services before committing to a single contract. Trustee Sabag noted a second vendor’s late proposal was available in the board Q&A but that it proposed a higher per‑meal amount ($9 per meal) and offered delivery rather than on‑site preparation.
Superintendent Chernis recommended tabling the item and returning in July with more information; both the initial mover and seconder withdrew their motions. The board chair then announced: "approval of the agreement with LA Kosher Grill Incorporated for Kosher Meals fails for lack of a motion." No binding contract was approved.
Ending: District staff said they will bring more analysis and options back at a later meeting. Trustees signaled interest in refining the district’s overall food‑service model, exploring parent contributions and examining other vendor proposals before moving forward.