BOE approves cost-saving methods for food service
By Deborah Bennett Millen News Editor

Planning ahead and closely monitoring expenses has allowed the Jenkins County School Food Service to continue to operate cost-effectively, said Debra Herrmann, director.

During the Monday, June 16, meeting of the Jenkins County Board of Education (BOE) Herrmann asked for approval of two additional measures to keep food costs down for the 2008- 2009 school term, a 50 cents increase in adult lunches and breakfasts and an "offer versus serve" provision at Jenkins County Elementary School (JCES).

Herrmann explained that the increase in adult lunches was necessary to keep the per plate price in line with food costs. The "offer versus serve" provision at JCES would allow older students the option of "choosing" whether or not to take a milk, fruit or vegetable with their meals. Currently, students are required to do so whether they want them or not. Allowing the older students to choose would help keep costs down and reduce waste, Herrmann said.

Both requests were approved by the BOE.

Jenkins County School Superintendent Joan Blackwood reported that the Jenkins County High School (JCHS) JROTC had received a "letter of commendation" for their efforts and noted that the students and instructors were positive representatives of the local school system. She encouraged board members to congratulate JROTC participants and instructors upon seeing them.

BOE member Roderick Campbell presented a letter from CSRA Driver's Education School offering to partner with the local system to provide driver's education classes for local students at no cost to the school system. The parents would be responsible for paying the costs, the letter explained. The information was accepted for consideration with the matter to be placed on the agenda for a decision at the July meeting.

Other actions taken by the BOE included the following:

• Tabled approval of school facilities fee schedule for revisions;

• Approved parking rental fee agreement with St. Bernadette Catholic Church in the amount of $750 annually;

• Approved milk bid for the 2008-2009 school year from Dairyland Inc. in the amount of $83,914;

• Approved bread bid for the 2008-2009 school year from Derst Baking Co. in the amount of $18,672.50; and

• Approved the employment of Mathew Perry Smith as social studies teacher at JCHS and Timothy Brady as custodian at JCHS.