EXETER >> Jennifer Wilinsky, food services director at Exeter Township School District, presented school board members with a food service report during the April 18 meeting.
Wilinsky shared that some schools have begun “Try It Tuesdays.” She has participated in student surveys at the junior high and forums at the high school.
School board member Jim Brady questioned the occurrence of food waste.
“One of the things we’ve heard about in the past, is students get their meals, they look at the meal, they evaluate what they like, and the rest just kind of gets pitched,” Brady said.
Wilinsky assured board members that waste is minimal because she tries to offer the students a variety.
“I hope they’re not taking it just to take it and throw it away,” she said.
Students are required to take a fruit or vegetable with their meal. “They don’t have to take everything that’s offered. We encourage it because we want their bellies to be full for the entire day,” Wilinsky said.
Currently, food services are feed about 50 percent of students in each building.
District Business Manager Anne Guydish reviewed the proposed final general fund budget for 2017-18. The review was based on a five-year projection.
“The House Republican budget plan is out there – they’ve gotten the ball rolling, there’s dialogue,” Guydish said.
The Republican budget includes funding for education. Guydish included an update on property tax reform.
“Support has dwindled over the past few months, but there continues to be efforts to move the proposal forward.”
The 2017-18 expense is estimated to increase by $144,206. This amount includes a staff request for a speech therapist, reduced health care premiums, security audit, extended school year tuition, and increase major improvements.
Board member Robert Quinter questioned why a security audit must be performed.
The cost of a security audit could total $35,000.
A final budget vote is scheduled for June.
