Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the School Meals topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Parents press board on breakfast survey, district cites RFP timing and state rules
Summary
During public comment and a district Q&A, parents questioned last year’s survey thresholds and why the district’s food‑service RFP does not include breakfast; the administration said reopening the RFP and adding breakfast would require time and additional staffing and that a district survey due in early May will inform next steps.
Parent commenters and board members focused a portion of the public‑comment period on school breakfast options and a planned survey the district will send to families.
District administration explained that prior survey results fell short of the state’s threshold used to justify universal breakfast at a school and that the current food‑service contract (RFP) does not include breakfast. The administration said the existing RFP still has one year left and that adding breakfast to the contract would require reopening the RFP, which is a lengthy process. Staff also described operational considerations if breakfast is added, including production and supervision costs.
Several board members asked for clarity about the survey mechanics and timing. The administration said a single question (Yes/No) will be included on a survey to families, with responses due back in early May (reported in the meeting as May 8), and explained that results will be tabulated promptly and used to determine whether to pursue a waiver, reopen the RFP, or otherwise expand food service at specific elementary buildings.
Parent Alex Mlan asked the board to record his wife’s January letter in the minutes and disputed numbers reported in the prior survey (the transcript records debate over whether the previous percentage was 75, 77 or 81 required), asking how incoming kindergarten families will be included in the count. The administration agreed to follow up with the requester and with NYSED guidance on distribution and thresholds.
The board did not make a final policy decision on breakfast at the meeting; administration committed to releasing the survey, collecting and tabulating results, and returning to the board with options based on response rates and state guidance.
