Elk Lake mulls cafeteria proposal

BY C.J. MARSHALL
Times-Shamrock Writer

Elk Lake School Board heard public input at its regular meeting last Wednesday (Feb. 3), concerning a proposal it has been considering to seek bids for a food service management company to oversee the operations of the schools’ cafeterias.

The board took the action at last month’s meeting, in which it announced that the district had received authorization from the state to accept bids, and it would be contacting five vendors from a state list.

On Thursday, board President Arden Tewksbury read a letter from Michael Rudolf of Tunkhannock, and a member of Elk Lake Class of 1977, in which he urged the district to reject the idea of hiring a food management company, and keep the cafeterias “in house.”

District Superintendent Kenneth Cuomo explained that escalating costs are the reason the district is giving serious consideration to hiring a food management company to oversee the cafeterias. Last year, he said the cost for the district to run the cafeterias was about $215,000 – about 2 mills of taxes.

One big misconception, the superintendent continued, is that the food will not be prepared at the schools.

This is absolutely false, he said. The reason the board is considering contracting with a food management company is because such organizations can purchase their food in bulk, at a considerable savings to the district.

In addition, Cuomo also pointed out that the student population has dropped from 1,700 to 1,200 over the years, meaning there is less money being spent in the cafeterias.

However, salaries and benefits to cafeteria staff members have continued to increase. And it is not possible to cut enough staff members to cover the differences.

“We’re seeing a decrease in revenue and an increase in expenses,” Cuomo said. “And it’s just going to keep escalating.”

The superintendent also emphasized that the board will do everything it can to protect the cafeteria staff.

“I’ve spoken with employees, members of the union,” Cuomo said. “They tell me they’re concerned. We’re just as concerned.”

In other business, the board voted to enter into a five-year Xerox Lease Agreement to provide a copier in the central office. The board also voted to appoint member Eric Emmerich as its representative to the Northeast Intermediate Unit 19.

Cuomo also presented each board member with a certificate from the state, honoring them as part of School Director Recognition Month.