School board considers food service switch
Taher submitted bid
By Amie Johansen
amie@charlescitypress.com
Last night, the Charles City School Board approved Superintendent Dr. Dan Cox and the food service tax force to proceed in conversation with the food service management company Taher Inc. Taher Inc. was the only company to submit a bid before the May 6 deadline.
“There were five members on this food service task force to score this bid,” Cox said. “Myself, Business Manager Terri O’Brien, school board members Robin Macomber and Lorraine Winterink and Food Service Director Dawn Wolf.”
According to Cox, the task force members were required to independently score the bid following a given set of guidelines. Taher Inc. exceeded the 85 average points required.
Upon completing the evaluation of Taher, Cox’s opinion of the company changed.
“I will admit that I was skeptical that someone else could come in here and do something that we’re already doing better,” he said.
Cox indicated a roughly five inch binder Taher supplied to the task force, along with reference calls, that eventually moved him to a favorable opinion. He also appreciate the promises Taher made to the district.
“They guarantee us a positive net surplus of $21,725,” Cox. “If we don’t like it, at the end of next year we can go back.”
The current food service budget does not allow for a surplus.
“The year is not yet over, but we more than likely will have a declining balance,” O’Brien said.
Besides a declining balance, participation in the school lunch program has also shown signs of decrease. In the 2011-12 school year there was a 77 percent participation in lunches. In 2012-13 participation dropped to 71 percent and rose slightly to 73 percent during the 2013-14 school year.
School board Vice President Jason Walker asked how a surplus might be achieved. He also questioned how lunch participation might change under Taher’s direction.
“They are confident that their food purchasing power will come in so much lower than what we have and their offerings will be so appealing to increase participation,” Cox said.
According to Cox, Taher’s guarantee of $21,725 net surplus was based on the district’s current budget and staff.
“If they don’t meet that, it’s out of their pocket,” he said.
Board member Jim Frisbie asked how the existing food service employees would be affected.
“Our RFP we put out, said our employees would remain our employees, (a company) would just control our food service,” Cox said. “One exception to that, the food service director would become a Taher employee.”
According to Cox, Taher’s food service director would be employed year round. Currently the district’s food service director is employed for roughly 10.5 months out of the year.
Cox’s recommendation is to continue conversation with Taher. Taher asks for a one year contract which can be renewed up to four years at a time.
“Now until May 23, administration will negotiate with Taher,” Cox said.
A draft of the contract will be presented to the board.
Besides being guaranteed a surplus in the food service balance and the employment of the current food service staff, Taher can also offer greater variety in foods across all grade levels.
“There’s so many components to this,” Winterink said. “You’ll be excited about the farm to school component. They gets seeds from the USDA and kids plant them.”
Winterink also listed a wide variety of lunch options, fresh fruit and vegetables, and Taher’s willingness to invest in the district to improve their overall food service quality.
“They have $15,000 they were going to invest immediately with the schools to bring it up to where it needs to be,” she said.
The board approved the recommendation to continue conversation with Taher.
Other Items
— Approval of 2016-17 Charles City Community Education Association contract
— Approval of 2016-17 Charles City Community Educational Services Association contract
— Middle School change orders
— Personnel Resignations: Kirstey Ewald, high school English teacher; Paul Anhalt, high school physics teacher; Jamie Ibis, fourth grade teacher; Terri Pettit, instructional assistant
— Personnel Appointments: Ben Klapperich, fourth grade teacher, varsity boys’ basketball coach; Derek Sturtevant, high school vocal music; Scott Hagensick, third through sixth grade counselor; Yvonne Copper, high school chemistry and physics teacher.
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