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Centennial SD considers mobile dining bus to boost summer meal service
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Summary
The operations committee discussed last summer’s meal counts and a proposal to retrofit an older school bus (approx. $7,000) as a mobile dining unit to provide covered on-site eating at parks and improve compliance with summer meal rules.
Staff member (the presenter) told the Centennial School District operations committee that last year the district served "over the summer, 20,684 meals" and received $94,306 in state reimbursement. The presenter said summer reimbursement rates are slightly higher than the regular school year and that the average reimbursement per meal is roughly $4.55.
The presenter outlined a proposal to temporarily convert an older school bus into a mobile dining unit—removing or reversing seats, adding tables or benches and exterior graphics—to allow students to eat inside a covered setting at park sites. The estimated reconfiguration cost is about $7,000 and the district would use an older vehicle from the back of the fleet so the change would be reversible if the bus is needed for service later.
Committee members asked why the district could not rely on existing park pavilions. A committee member said pavilions could accommodate many children but the presenter replied that the district plans to use both pavilions and the bus depending on weather and site conditions, and that the bus helps the district demonstrate compliance with program rules that require attendance/onsite consumption monitoring.
Presenter and Karen Krieger clarified that the 20,684 figure is cumulative across school and off-site sites (McDonald, Davis and William Tennant schools plus four park locations used during the summer). The presenter said an audit of the summer meal plan is expected next year and emphasized that nominal, food-service-absorbed fees for supervision could be used to help ensure compliance without costing the general fund.
Committee members asked for follow-up information on logistics, siting and whether the program’s in-school sites might require additional summer staffing. The presenter said staff would return with further details and cost breakdowns at a future meeting.
The committee did not take a final vote on the mobile bus proposal; staff will return with more detailed plans and audit-related documentation.
