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Board authorizes competitive bids for food service management after cafeteria funding shortfall
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Summary
The school board approved soliciting bids for a food service management company after analysis showed the district cannot sustain its free breakfast/free lunch program (CEP) alone; officials emphasized protecting staff employment and program access.
The Franklin County Community School Corporation board voted April 13 to open a mandatory competitive bidding process for a food service management company after district staff concluded the cafeteria program is not sustainable in its current form.
Superintendent Dustin Garring said a district review found it “is not realistic that we could sustain CEP on our own,” referring to the district’s free breakfast and lunch program, and that at least one vendor has proposed a model guaranteeing the program for three years while maintaining employment and increasing pay and benefits for cafeteria staff.
“From what I've seen so far...this is not a reduction in quality,” Garring said, adding his two priorities are ensuring students get meals and that cafeteria staff are taken care of. Kendra, who presented fiscal details of district funds, said the vendor’s production she observed looked “amazing” and that staff training opportunities could increase under a management company.
Board members asked how vendor proposals would affect participation and state reimbursements. District staff said the vendor models include strategies to increase meal participation (one example estimated a 5% participation increase) and that state reimbursement processes would remain intact. The district emphasized that it will retain required reporting responsibilities and administrative oversight even if it contracts with an external provider.
The board approved starting the bid process by voice vote, 6–0. Officials said they expect between three and five bids and anticipate bringing a recommendation to the board as early as the June meeting so any vendor could be in place for the next school year.
The district will include contract scoring criteria, mandatory site tours and an evaluation matrix in the solicitation; staff said they will not present a vendor that does not guarantee free breakfast and lunch or protect staff employment and compensation.
