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Petersburg schools awarded Dairy Alliance grant for milk-dispensing machines; board hears implementation plan
Summary
Petersburg City Public Schools announced a Dairy Alliance equipment grant (~$26,383) to modernize milk service at three secondary sites and requested board authorization for a $13,850 local match; staff projected a 2,984-meal participation increase and outlined a 90-day rollout and measurement plan.
Petersburg City Public Schools informed the board on June 17 that it has been awarded a Dairy Alliance equipment grant to modernize milk service at secondary schools and boost meal participation.
"Petersburg City Public Schools has been awarded a $26,383 equipment grant from the Dairy Alliance," Nutrition Program Manager Tis Martin told the board, and staff said they would provide a $13,850 matching machine so the high school can operate two dispensing units.
Martin described a 90-day implementation plan that begins with procurement and installation, staff training and promotional communications. The initial phase would place machines at Blandford, Vernon Johnson and Petersburg High School, converting high-school milk service from cartons to a reusable bag-and-machine dispensing model that the presentation said will reduce waste and reduce labor for staff.
The nutrition office projected the installation could yield a participation increase of roughly 2,984 meals at secondary schools and argued the equipment could also support athletic rehydration and after-school programs. Martin said lactose-intolerant students and other students with dietary needs would continue to have appropriate alternatives (lactose-free cartons, juice, bottled water).
Board members asked about environmental impacts, cup materials and how the district would monitor participation data; staff said they would return with measured results after an initial data collection window (about 90 days after launch) and would report participation trends back to the board.
The board did not vote on the grant acceptance at the June 17 meeting; staff requested authorization to sign the required LOA and proceed with matching commitments.
