Cartwright board moves to nonrenew Southwest Food Services contract despite staff praise for fresh meals
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Summary
After multiple staff speakers defended Southwest Food Services (SFE) for improving meal quality and training, the Cartwright board voted to nonrenew the SFE contract and approved a district job description for director of food service; at least one board member voted against the nonrenewal.
The Cartwright Elementary School District governing board voted Wednesday to nonrenew the district’s contract with Southwest Food Services (SFE) as part of the consent agenda, even after cafeteria staff told the board SFE had improved food quality and training.
Bernadina Rodriguez, a district kitchen manager, told the board SFE provided consistent training and “scratch-made” meals that raised lunch participation. “Please let them finish the contract,” Rodriguez said, noting that canceling mid-term would be costly. Susan Lemmeron, another food-service manager, echoed those remarks and said SFE’s monthly training and support had helped staff and students.
Board members discussed the item during the consent agenda and then took a vote under action item f. Governing Board member Miss Cantu seconded the motion to nonrenew and a majority voted to approve the nonrenewal and to adopt a job description for a Director of Food Service. During the roll call, Miss Garcia explained her no vote, saying she feared a return to processed foods and that SFE provided quality meals for scholars and staff.
The motion carried; the board did not articulate operational next steps for meals during public session beyond approving the job description for a district food-service director. Officials said staff will return with implementation details at a later date.