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Board delays Pomptonian food-service renewal after members question the math behind a 25¢-per-meal increase
Summary
Board members pressed Pomptonian—s proposed average 25¢ per-meal increase and the company—s use of $5.17 as the per-meal denominator; Superintendent Dr. Schwarz withdrew his recommendation to renew the contract for further review and asked for clearer backup documents.
The Ridgewood Board of Education on July 14 deferred action on a proposed renewal of its food-service contract after several board members said the company—s math on a proposed meal-price increase did not add up.
Parents and board members said Pomptonian (the district—s vendor) proposed an average 25¢-per-meal increase, a figure the company described as roughly a 3.3% rise. Board members pointed out that 25¢ as a share of a $5.17 per-meal base is nearly 5%, and questioned whether the vendor was using inconsistent denominators to compute its management fee and the number of meals. Board members also noted Pomptonian continues to guarantee the district $210,000 under the contract, but said the company—s approach appears to shift more inflationary cost onto the district.
Superintendent Doctor Schwarz told the board he—ll ask staff to obtain clearer backup documentation and arithmetic from Pomptonian before the board votes. "I'm going to withdraw the recommendation" for the renewal and meet with the vendor, the superintendent said, and asked staff to bring an updated proposal to a future meeting (the administration signaled an intent to return to the board in August).
Why it matters: the contract affects meal prices students pay and the district—s accounting of meal counts and management fees; board members said they need full line-item backup before authorizing a renewal that changes student charges and vendor payments.
What was said: parent Corey Abramson had earlier urged the board to focus on classroom staffing and supports for kindergarten students. During the Pomptonian discussion, several board members pressed the district business office and the superintendent to restore the practice of including full contract text and line-by-line cost comparisons in committee materials so members can review vendor proposals ahead of public meetings.
Procedure and next steps: Superintendent Doctor Schwarz withdrew his recommendation and asked Pomptonian to return with clarified calculations. The board agreed to revisit the renewal after staff and the vendor provide the requested backup.
