Consider well before giving food service contract away |
| November 28, 2011 |
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Dear BCSD 101 Board members and informed
citizens of Boundary County, I am a long-time resident of Boundary County, and I am writing to express my concern about recent development in our schools lunch program. I copy from the minutes of Tuesday, October 11, 2011: "Chartwells – Jeff Vigue, Regional Sales Manager for Chartwells, introduced himself to the Board. He invited them to a dinner while they are attending the Idaho School Boards Association conference on the 9th of November, 2011." Many years ago I had worked with Tammy Schneider, with whom I became friends. It is this relationship that gives me some insight which the board may wish to consider. During her many years of hard work with the school district, it was suggested Tammy be hired as the food service manager when Gail Reoch left her job. Gail made the recommendation that Tammy be hired; one reason is that Tammy had been the only person to help write up a grant to put the fresh fruit and vegetables on the menu. A grant which put our food service in line with the upcoming requirements the State of Idaho had planned, years ahead of the deadline. Gail also knew Tammy had the training to do the job. The past board did not pick Tammy for the job she had been performing, and instead hired another food service director. They did hire a person who Tammy attempted to train. From what I saw, your past food service director put his time and energy into a gardening program, which he was proud of. However, the record shows the board did accept Randy Tremble’s resignation as food service director effective April 30, 2011. The summer school lunch program and all meal plans have been done, and again the job of our food service has fallen on Tammy Schneider. Since May, our students have been having lunch and the state inspections have just been passed. I would ask that you each make contact with the people at the state level before you consider giving away what we have to Chartwells. I understand Chartwells is a huge company. Here is the reference I ask that you all go to that site and read the Reference # 8. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compass_Group. When you have spoken to the state and done some reading, speak to those who will have to pass the next bond for the schools. I know that I trust our food service; I do not like the idea of an international company who doesn’t have a very nice track record being paid our tax dollars to vend their own food line here. Sincerely, |