Food service director reports slight participation drop and $65,899 projected year-end balance

Food-service director Mr. Young told the Finance & Operations Committee the department’s January 2026 year-to-date forecast shows a slight decrease in breakfast and lunch participation coincident with modest enrollment declines; he said the program operates breakfast, lunch, snacks, supper, fresh-fruit-and-vegetable deliveries and summer food service, and is monitoring state and federal reimbursements.

Mr. Young said vehicle fleet repairs and maintenance have been a significant expense this year; the department operates four refrigerated trucks, three vans, and seven cars for school deliveries. He presented a projected year-end balance of $65,899 under current forecasts and noted that the department has not yet received some February and March reimbursements.

Mr. Young also flagged federal policy uncertainty, noting discussion around potentially ending Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) reimbursements and that national nutrition professionals have been lobbying in Washington. “My fingers are crossed that we don't have to have that conversation,” he said of CEP changes.

Separately, Mr. Young presented two healthy-food certifications (items 9.01 and 9.02) to confirm district compliance with Connecticut nutrition standards for 07/01/2026–06/30/2027 and to note exemptions for extracurricular activities. The committee requested precise motion language and agreed to vote the certifications separately; the items were advanced to the full board as part of the bundled motion that passed in committee.