District says cafeteria upgrades and menu changes lifted elementary participation; visitor lunch policy reinstated

At the Oct. 21 meeting, Superintendent Graham reported improvements to elementary food service funded from the district's school-meal operations. An Elior representative described new serving-line options and menu rotations intended to boost participation.

The Elior representative said the elementary serving line now offers a nacho line three days a week, a bacon-tater bar one day and a chili bar another day. Jamie Doughty, identified in the meeting as the cafeteria manager, was credited with outreach to parents and with operating the new line.

Superintendent Graham said the district has about 375 students enrolled at the elementary campus and that approximately 345 students are now taking school meals. He and the Elior representative said the new line and menu variety appear to have increased participation.

Board members asked about a la carte sales and participation at the primary building; presenters said primary a la carte sales are limited (ice cream on Fridays) and that the primary building has not yet seen a comparable participation increase.

The district restated a visitor-lunch procedure: parents who wish to eat with a student should call by 8:30 a.m. the day of the visit, sign in at the front office, receive a visitor badge and be escorted into the cafeteria. The superintendent described opening doors for parents and grandparents but said advance notice helps cafeteria planning.

No formal policy change was adopted; the board received the report and asked staff to monitor participation levels.