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District reports transportation savings, student counts and food‑service changes
Summary
Administrators said a transportation partnership should save about $260,000 this year, the district transports about 615 students daily on 42 buses, and Chartwells director Jose Melendez will run summer feeding at Chatsworth if state approvals allow; staffing and eligibility rules limit some food‑service options.
District staff outlined operational numbers and service changes that affect students and families.
Sylvia Wallach said the district’s transportation partnership with an external manager is expected to save about $260,000 this year, plus approximately $20,000 in management‑fee revenue. "Our current year savings from that relationship is expected to be $260,000 for this year, plus the $20,000 revenue for the management fee that we charge to RINEC," Wallach said. The district currently transports about 615 students daily to 63 schools on 42 buses; summer extended‑school‑year transportation serves about 80 students.
On food service, Wallach introduced Chartwells director Jose Melendez, who has led food service since last May. Staff said if Chatsworth is used for summer programs they can feed children in those programs, but because Chatsworth is not in a designated disadvantaged area the district cannot provide community meals there under current rules. Wallach also described an instance where child‑nutrition claims were initially flagged for unusually high participation rates but were ultimately approved.
Security staffing was also discussed: the district currently lists 28 guards and one supervisor and uses visitor‑management software and emergency drills; staff said they continue to install cameras and access control points.
A board member asked whether the HVAC replacements on the Hammocks roof were part of the larger energy contract; Wallach said they were not. Another board member asked whether the culinary program could be involved with food service; administrators said they are trying to expand culinary opportunities but staffing constraints limit the program’s current capacity.
The chair announced a public deadline for private/parochial transportation applications: 4 p.m. on Monday, April 1, 2025; eligibility distance rules and the application location (www.mkschools.org) were provided.
