Grosse Pointe News - Local History Archives

1A II • GROSSE POINTE NEWS • AUGUST 9, 2012
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In June, Sodexo Food Services General Manager Michelle Knotts hosted an A to
Z Salad Bar at Mason Elementary School. Students tested 26 varieties of fruits
and vegetables during the event, which educated students about healthier foods.
Board extends Sodexo
contract through 2012-2013
By A. J. Hakim
StaffWriter
The Grosse Pointe
Public School System
Board of Education approved
extending Sodexo
Food Services one more
year before federal law requires
that the district rebid
its service.
"We were required to
receive quotes again because
of change in the
current federal law, the
Healthy, Hunger-Free
Kids Act, the HHFKA,
that has to do with the
quality of lunches and the
type of foods that're
served," deputy superintendent
of business affairs
and operations Chris
Fenton said during the
board's July 23 regular
meeting.
The Healthy, Hunger-
Free Kids Act of 2010,
championed by First Lady
Michelle Obama and
signed into law December
2010, is a national reform
against childhood obesity.
It grants the USDA the
authority and responsibility
to establish national
nutrition standards for all
food served in school,
which include:
• Offering fruits and
vegetables daily;
•Substantially increasing
offerings of whole
grain-rich foods;
•Offering only fat-free
or low-fat milks;
•Limiting calories
based on a child's age to
ensure proper portion
size; and
•Increasing the focus
on reducing amounts of
saturated fat, trans fat and
sodium.
With the new requirements,
Sodexo raised
lunch prices a quarter for
the 2012-2013 school
year, increasing elementary
pricing to $2.75 and
middle and high school to
$3.25.
Sodexo has maintained
the district's food services
since July 2005, when administration
approved
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outsourcing the program
to reduce district spending.
Before Sodexo, the
district employed 15 fulltimers
and 37 part-timers.
It considered the program
a "break-even" deal,
though oftentimes it actually
suffered financially
(about $25,000 in 2004-
2005) in its annual operating
costs.
But by contracting
Sodexo, which all but
guaranteed annual
$100,000-plus profits to
the district, that changed.
As did the variety of foods
offered and the amounts
of each food, some of
Sodexo's biggest criticisms
since it started seven
years ago.
"When this service was
outsourced to Sodexo, before
I was even on the
board, it was running at a
roughly $100,000 loss annually,"
treasurer
Brendan Walsh said during
the meeting.
"It's been running at
roughly $100,000 surplus
annually coming into this
year. So, it's been a
$200,000 financial benefit,
granted nobody goes
home skipping and dancing
about how great the
food is."
Which is why, with the
required rebidding due
next year, administration
is keeping its options
open, seeking additional
feedback from students,
parents and staff about
Sodexo's services and its
compliance with the
USDA's established
menu. In January, the district
plans on conducting
See SODEXO, page 2A U
Administration
hires candidates,
concludes three
of four searches
By A J. Hakim
StaffWriter
Searches for three of the four positions made
available this summer concluded officially last
Friday. During a special meeting of the Grosse
Pointe Public School System Board of Education
Aug. 3, the board approved the human resources report
that included hires for Maureen Bur's, Stephen
Cross's and Ellen Bowen's replacements.
One opening remains — an interim principal for
Grosse Pointe North High School.
Bur vacated her position as Kerby Elementary
School principal in June for a new role as the GPPSS
Director of Pre-K/Elementary
Curriculum,
Instruction, Assessment and Technology. Her replacement
is Melanie O'Neil, of Lake Orion
Community Schools.
While at LOCS O'Neil held positions as Orion
Oaks Elementary School principal, Early Childhood
Director, classroom teacher for fourth and fifth
grades and, most recently, Autism Spectrum
Disorder teacher at Blanche Sims Elementary
School.
"So she has a broad background and a real strong
focus on both instruction and relationships," deputy
superintendent of educational services Jon Dean
said during Friday's meeting. "We're excited to have
her."
O'Neil earned her Bachelor of Science degree in
education from Central Michigan University, a
Master of Educational Administration degree from
Michigan State University and an endorsement in
ASD from Oakland University. She was selected
from a pool of 107 applicants.
Band and choir
The two other positions filled Friday, Stephen
Cross's and Ellen Bowen's, became available after
See HIRES, page
2AU
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