By MIKE COURSON
Great Bend Post
The purpose of Wednesday morning's USD 428 Board of Education special meeting was to approve end-of-year budget expenditures and transfers, and approve changes to the school calendar as it relates to staff contracts for the next two years. But first, the board continued its discussion from June 10 regarding a contract to provide meals for Bright Beginnings in Great Bend. The board ultimately voted 6-1 to approve a 12-month contract to provide meals to the new daycare facility in Great Bend. Randy Wetzel was one of the six board members to vote for the contract.
"They're Great Bend kids," he said. "They're our kids, and our job is to take care of our kids in our community. They're going to be in our district at some point. It isn't costing us a dime. In fact, we're making enough to cover the extra cost."
The board first heard of the contract during the lengthy June 10 meeting. After discussion, the body agreed to table a vote on the contract until the special meeting. District preschool students will pay $3.85 for breakfast and lunches next year. Bright Beginnings students will pay $5 for the same meals to offset any additional costs accrued by the district. Board Member Sara Williams said various outside entities have contracts with the school district.
"I don't understand why this is coming to the board," she said. "I don't think it's for us. I think we have excellent administrators who make these decisions and keep those things clicking along. To wait for the board meeting for the board to have to make a decision, I think it's micromanaging and slows down business."
Board Member Chad Burroughs again expressed opposition to the contract and was the lone vote against it. He brought up concerns about the timeline of when Bright Beginnings will be able to provide its own meals, especially as the district moves its Summer Lunch Program from five elementary buildings to three as of July 1.
"Here, next month, we're going to not be providing meals at two of our locations," he said. "That's 310 kids who won't able to (eat) at those buildings, yet we're still going to deliver 10 meals to Bright Beginnings. I just don't really want us to turn into a DoorDash for 10 kids when we're shutting down two buildings serving 310 kids."
Wetzel said the 310 kids will still be able to access the free meal program at the other locations, and Superintendent Khris Thexton said the program has worked that way every summer.
Burroughs also said the cost of providing the meals is not a concern, it's the principle of using district resources for a private facility. Board Vice President Aaron Emerson agreed it's not about the money.
"It is in state statute that we have to be fully recouped for any agreement like this, specifically any agreements with daycares if we provide food to them," Emerson said. "I'm sure (Food Services Director Kristy Alvord) is aware of that, and I'm sure our auditors will pick up on that being a new contract and making sure we are fully reimbursed for anything we give out."
Burroughs also expressed concerns about other daycares that may want to use similar district services. Wetzel and Board President Jacquie Disque did not see that being an issue.
"Let's take care of the kids," Wetzel said. "I don't think it's going to balloon up. If I had a daycare, I think it'd be cheaper for me to prepare my meals than it would be to pay $5, so I don't see it as happening. If it does, we'll deal with it when it happens."
"I tend to agree, I don't think every private daycare town will come running and want us to do it," Disque said. "There may be some other commercial, non-profit daycares that want to. There may be some for profit. I think I trust (district administration) to make those decisions about whether or not that's where we want to go."
The board could have denied a contract or approved six or 12-month options. Deanna Essmiller made the motion for the 12-month contract. Board Member Karen Lindberg earlier reiterated the importance of providing support for the community.
"We rely on our community to support us as well," she said. "Our kids are going to be going out and selling Panther cards and that kind of stuff. Sometimes we're called to serve our community back. I feel like this is one of those times we need to serve our community."
As an administrator, Assistant Superintendent John Popp did not vote on the contract, but he did offer his support.
"Kristy does a great job of running our food service program," he said. "Really, the only consideration for me was if Kristy says we can do it, and if the dollars make sense to her, then we can do it. If Kristy says we can do it and it's not an issue for her, that makes the decision for me."
This story was edited with additional comments from board members.