In the 19981999 school year District 5 will return to a self-operated food service program, ending an eight-year contract with Marriott Management Services to run the food service programm. According to students, the change is a welcomed one. “I’d like to see more nutritious food on the menu,” said junior Brendan Garvey. “Something that is not deep fried would be nice or a little fresher food.” Those who don’t use the program have had different views. “I don’t really care about the change,” said junior Lindsey Louden. “I don’t usually eat school lunch.” Under the new system, the district would have total control over food service. After an hour of debate at its March 3 meeting, the school board voted eight to two to terminate the contract with Marriott, effective June 30, 1998. “The district looked at the budget and found it more feasible to take over the program,” said FHS kitchen manager Bertha Morrison, who will become part-time food-service director next year. From 1987-1990, the food program lost money and by 1990 had a $45,577 deficit. In 1990, the contract was given to Marriott Management Services. “The school started losing money,” said Morrison.“They brought in (Marriott) with new ideas and choices.” In 1994, shortly after Todd Watkins was hired as the district’s business manager, he noticed that the deficit had grown to $75,000, and audited the project. “Internal audits are standard,” said food service bookkeeper Ann Smith. “We audit the system to get a feel for how things are going, like how much we are spending and how much is coming in.” While the internal audit was being conducted, Watkins reviewed the Marriott contract and discovered that the district was paying $50,000 annually for management fees and $45,000 annually for the director’s wages and benefits. Marriott did not take any action about the growing deficit until Watkins threatened contract termination according to Watkins. Marriott then hired a new manager, Kent Colson, who has brought the deficit down since his hiring. Last November, Watkins began researching alternatives to the current structure. Watkins looked at the program either becoming self-operating or contracting the entire operation with Marriott. Said District 5 superintendent Alan Hafer: “(Watkins) believes he can create a program that offers the same quality food or higher and do that more efficiently.” |
