Cafeteria Report

Transcript (~6 min @ 30:18)

Speakers identified by voice; unnamed voices are numbered within this recording. Auto-caption text — verify against the video.

▶ 30:15 Speaker 5: Not a very chatty group tonight. Okay. We'll move on to the cafeteria report. Ms. Driscoll?

▶ 30:21 Margaret Raymond Driscoll: Uh, yes, thank you. Um, I just, um, wanted, let me get back to it's page five at the back, doing a lot of back scrolling here. So, um, I did notice that, um, as I'm sure you all did, um, that, um, the sales were slightly higher in 25, um, and, um, the reimbursement's a little bit lower, but, um, and the lunch counts were higher, um, so resulting in revenues that were relatively, um, close to each other, but, um, the expenses, particularly in the line of product cost relative to food and paper purchases were significantly different, um, as a percentage and in real value, um, representing, um, over $20,000. So, um, uh, and Mr. Kelly, I'm gonna, if through the chair I was gonna ask Mr. Kelly about that, um, I've put you on the spot a little bit. I apologize for that. So if you just wanna get back to us, that would be fine. But that is curious to me, um, is that jump, um, by 12 points in the, um, the overall pie where, um, where that expense comes from?

▶ 31:33 Speaker 2: Sure. I can certainly get more information on that. Um, sure. Our, our director, um, Mr. Molly's very accessible, so I can certainly check in with him. And I, I would speculate there may be some overlap with, it's pure speculation, but it might be some overlap with the, the month of August there, and I can confirm that. But I'll definitely check in with Mr. Molly.

▶ 31:48 Margaret Raymond Driscoll: Okay. That's very helpful because if it is, you know, mostly true that, you know, there was a substantial product cost different, I think there is alignment in what we're experiencing as a district and that we're not experienced, it's not a revenue issue that we're facing, it's an expense issue. And I would point to this pending, um, more confirmation that, um, this aligns with that. So thank you. And I would make a motion to

▶ 32:16 Speaker 5: Approve. Okay. We have a motion to approve all three reports. Is there a second? I just had one more. Oh, sorry, go ahead.

▶ 32:23 Jennifer McAndrew: Um, just one more question on this. Thank you for, um, raising this. I think it would be no surprise to me if our costs were considerably higher, um, as opposed to one year ago, which is what the report shows. Um, given the inflationary pressures on literally on groceries on every part of the economy right now. Um, I also just wanted to point out, 'cause I think it's important in the context of the cafeteria report, um, and the grants report that, um, we are likely to be in a situation where, um, SNAP benefits expire on Saturday. Um, that is, um, food support for, um, children and families in need. Um, and so the focus on, um, school lunch and um, meals at school is probably going to be even more significant than it already is, even in places like Melrose. Um, and so I just, I'm, I know for a fact without even asking that, our superintendent and deputy superintendent are thinking about that and all of our principals. But, um, just something that's definitely on my mind in the context of this, uh, report and also with keeping our, uh, family supported. So thank you

▶ 33:37 Speaker 5: Mr. Hartman. Um, follow up question to that actually. And I'm very equally concerned about the impact of, uh, the loss of SNAP benefits on many of our kids, uh, in the district with, we have an early bird program, right? For, for early meals for kids, is that something that is locked in at the beginning of the year or is that something that could change for children who, um, may need it in in a time like this?

▶ 34:01 Speaker 4: I personally do not know the answer to that question at this moment in time. I don't know if Ken, Mr. Kelly does,

▶ 34:06 Speaker 2: I think maybe just some clarification you're asking if we have the before and the before school program. Early bird Before school, yeah. Yes, yes. Is that something That we do have that, so I guess maybe just the other part of your question I didn't

▶ 34:15 Speaker 5: Understand, is it something that the families are locked into if they choose not to do it at the beginning of the year? Or is it something that they can change in the middle of the year so that they can access a breakfast?

▶ 34:24 Speaker 2: Yes. Breakfast. Breakfast and lunch are both free and masks, so, yeah. Yes, they would have access to those if they, if they choose,

▶ 34:29 Speaker 5: They can choose it midyear at this point. I think they can choose it on by the day. Okay.

▶ 34:36 Speaker 4: Alright. Maybe That's something frustrating. We may see that our production's gonna have to go up in, in each of our buildings. Right. But, um, hopefully we have like the provisions to be able to, um, you know, meet the needs of the kiddos. Yeah.

▶ 34:47 Speaker 5: Thank you. Yeah. One Quick, Mr. Rosie Thomas.

▶ 34:50 Speaker 2: Thank you. Just, I mean, it could be totally inflation. It also could be that we have a new director doing different things and ordering different things. So I'm very curious about how this evolves over the course of the next few months. And, and it would be great to check in with him or through you. Either way is fine. But I think it's gonna be, you know, we have to pay attention to the ridiculous thing that's going on with Snap For sure. And thank God we're able to offer free meals. That's a really, really wonderful thing for families. So we've gotta be ready for that more too. Thank you.

▶ 35:24 Speaker 5: Anybody else? Okay. I, Mr. Sk, had you, you had made a motion to approve all three. All three. Is there a second by Ms. McAndrew? All in favor? Wait. Oh, Mr. Hartman, did we discuss the, uh, special ed update? Yep. Zipped it right by you? Sorry. No one was paying attention.

▶ 35:42 Speaker 2: We Were paying attention.

▶ 35:45 Speaker 5: I was recovering from my chair.

▶ 35:47 Speaker 2: Sassy up there. All in favor?

▶ 35:51 Speaker 5: Any opposed? And that passes unanimously. Thank you.

▶ 35:56 Speaker 1: Thank you. Uh, finally, we have, um, educational programs and personnel chaired by Ms. Razzi Thomas.