Board approves facility assessment, dining-room seating and pizza contract to boost school meal participation

The Wilson County Board of Education on May 20 approved three contracts aimed at facilities assessment and dining services intended to modernize cafeterias and increase meal participation.

The board approved a $108,128 contract with Dewberry Engineers Inc. to complete a facility condition assessment addendum covering middle- and high‑school athletic and CTE outdoor facilities, citing a need to include athletic fields, greenhouses and similar outdoor structures.

The board approved a $323,477.69 contract with Universal Equipment Company to replace and upgrade dining-room seating at Beddingfield High School, Fike High School, Hunt High School, WECO and Daniels Learning Center. Administrators said the cost will be borne by the Nutrition Services fund, which the district reported is largely self-supporting through meal revenues and federal reimbursements.

The board also approved a $133,935.50 contract with Smart Mouth Pizza to provide on-site personal pizzas at Beddingfield, Fike and Hunt high schools. Mr. Breen described how students will have multiple meal options and explained the district expects increased participation will return additional revenue to the Nutrition Services fund.

"What we're hoping will happen ... is that we're getting 15% more participation," Mr. Breen said, explaining similar programs elsewhere have increased cafeteria participation. Later in the discussion a board member noted the dollar figure equates to roughly 80,000 pizzas allotted over time.

Why it matters: The district is investing in dining infrastructure and a new meal offering to increase student participation in school lunches, which officials said can directly support the Nutrition Services fund and student access to reimbursable meals.

How it will be funded: The administration said Universal Equipment and Smart Mouth Pizza contracts will be paid from the Nutrition Services fund; the Dewberry assessment will use local funds. Board members emphasized the Nutrition Services fund is replenished by meal revenues and USDA reimbursements.

Next steps: Contracts will be executed and scheduled for implementation during summer and into the 2025–26 school year. The board asked for follow-up reporting on student participation and the financial impact to the Nutrition Services fund.

Ending: Board members described the contracts as routine operational business intended to improve facilities and student services ahead of the next school year.