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Finance committee backs forwarding plan for floating school-lunch substitute to full board
Summary
MSAD 11finance committee agreed to bring a proposal to the full board to create a rotating two- or four-hour substitute position for the school-nutrition program, funded from the lunch fund to reduce overtime and ensure meals when kitchens are short-staffed.
The MSAD 11 finance committee voted to forward to the full board a proposal to create a floating substitute position dedicated to the school-nutrition program.
Why it matters: The districtschool-lunch fund operates separately from the general fund, and staff said persistent difficulties finding qualified short-term substitutes for kitchen shifts have led to overtime and service disruptions. The proposed floating position would be a 2- or 4-hour role (not benefits-eligible) that could rotate across kitchens to cover absences, reduce emergency overtime pay and keep meals flowing.
Details and rationale: The presenter told the committee the substitute would be familiar with each kitchen, reducing the need to retrain intermittent subs; the position could be redirected to sites as shortages arise. Staff and committee members said the idea surfaced repeatedly during labor negotiations and that a district-funded floating sub could improve morale and reliability in food service operations.
Committee action: A committee member moved to bring the proposal to the full board; another member seconded. The committee agreed to forward the request; the transcript records the motion and second but does not include a formal roll-call vote or tally in the finance session.
Quote: "I'm asking for you to vote because you need to bring it to the full board to create a position. I think it would be a good use of funds," the presenter said. A committee member added: "It came up at every negotiations meeting."
Fiscal and procedural notes: Staff said the lunch program can sustain the additional position and that a 2- or 4-hour substitute would not be eligible for benefits; the committee directed administration to bring the formal position request and budgetary details to the full board for approval.
Next step: Administration will prepare a formal position request and budget line and present it to the full MSAD 11 board at an upcoming meeting.
