Serving O'Brien & Clay Counties
Serving O'Brien & Clay Counties
H-M-S to pay for student meals in December, January
Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn Elementary students eat lunch on the first day of school in 2020.
Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn students will soon find that the idiom "there is no such thing as a free lunch" may not always be true.
As a result of action by the school board on Monday, the cost of student lunches during December and January will be assumed by the Nutrition Fund. The decision comes as a result of continued growth in the fund balance and a grant of $18,568 that was received.
The fund balance on Oct. 31 was $664,758, which compares to $249,000 in 2021. The district has attempted to lower it with equipment purchases and offering free breakfasts for all students and snack milk for lower elementary students for the entire year.
"Our nutrition fund continues to climb. It's doing quite well," Superintendent Patrick Carlin acknowledged.
With the action, students will not have to pay for basic lunches. However, they will continue to be charged for extra food and a la carte options.
Based on previous averages, to provide free lunches to students will cost the district approximately $31,500.
Board Member Becky Stoltz suggested the district also consider offering additional nutritional food options.
"Fruits and vegetables are expensive, but they are good for kids," she noted.
"I think we have the capacity to do that," Carlin responded.
The board will assess in January whether to continue offering free student lunches.
• Progress report on ball fields
John Hight, of Beck Engineering, reported the ball field project is nearing "substantial completion."
The baseball infield upgrade is finished, as are the press box, bleachers and fencing. Soffit and fascia remains to be placed on dugouts at both diamonds and installation of fencing at the softball diamond is not finished. Grass seeding and a few other items will wait until next spring, but Hight expects the diamonds will be ready for the 2024 seasons.
"Everything has gone really well," he said. "Anything that is temperature-related is completed."
• PK budget, other business
The board approved the preschool budget. State aid for preschools is based on 50 percent of student enrollment, and will total $38,235. Five per cent of the total is retained for administrative purposes.
Resignations were accepted from Jennifer Nassif and Michelle Wagner as assistant volleyball coaches, and a non-renewable contract was issued to Russ Spier as an assistant girls' basketball coach.
