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Hardy County Schools board approves consent items, summer food vendor, E-rate upgrade and personnel actions
Summary
The board approved the consent agenda and multiple contracts and policies (5–0), awarded the summer food service contract to Multitude Foods, approved an E-rate internet upgrade and ratified personnel actions including a suspension with pay and multiple hires and leaves.
At its meeting the Hardy County Schools board approved a package of routine actions and several substantive items, including a summer food vendor award and personnel approvals.
Consent agenda and routine approvals: The board moved and seconded the consent agenda and approved it by voice vote (5–0). During the consent discussion a trustee asked about a $10,000 cessation program; staff explained it funds a vape-cessation class run two days a month as an in-lieu-of-expulsion option and includes a financial-literacy component.
Contracts and procurement: The board approved extensions for kitchen equipment maintenance (MTS) and a Lost River Butcher Block food bid. Trustees discussed unit pricing (a case of beef patties at $110.25, approximately $4.79 per pound for a roughly 50-lb case) and product handling (frozen products are typical; vendors will accommodate fresh orders when necessary).
Summer Food Service: Staff reviewed three bids: Multitude Foods (shelf-stable meals), Innovation Foods (fresh), and Yemoja Health (mixed). Multitude Foods, the low bidder and the vendor used previously, was recommended for the 10-week summer program; the board approved the award by voice vote (5–0). Staff said meals are available to any resident under age 18 in Hardy County by online request and can be delivered to homes, and that the program meets state meal-pattern and reimbursement rules.
E-rate upgrade: The board approved an E-rate-funded project to upgrade internet at Wauchula Elementary School (motion and second; vote 5–0).
Personnel actions: Following an executive session, the board ratified a suspension with pay pending an investigation. The board also approved multiple leaves of absence and days without pay (individual dates listed in the personnel packet) and approved a slate of service and professional personnel hires and resignations for the 2026–2027 school year; all personnel motions on the floor were approved by voice vote.
Votes at a glance: Consent agenda — approved 5–0; Summer Food Service (Multitude Foods) — approved 5–0; E-rate internet upgrade (Wauchula Elementary) — approved 5–0; Contract extensions (MTS, Lost River Butcher Block) — approved 5–0; Personnel approvals (suspension ratification, hires, leaves) — approved by voice vote.
What happens next: Staff will implement vendor contracts, finalize summer meal distribution logistics, coordinate the E-rate upgrade, and carry out the personnel actions and follow-up investigative or onboarding steps.
