By Peter Elacqua
Staff Writer
COLTS NECK – The Colts Neck K-8 School District Board of Education has received an update from a representative of Pomptonian Food Services about the district’s food service program.
At a meeting on Jan. 20, Howard Grinberg of Pomptonian reported that lunch sales at the Cedar Drive Middle School are up by 20 percent from the same time in the previous school year and he said participation in the lunch program is up by 10 percent.
Grinberg said the Conover Road Elementary School’s lunch sales and participation are similar to the previous school year despite a 7 percent decrease in enrollment.
Conover Road Primary School’s sales have decreased by 8 percent despite a 10 percent increase in enrollment, he told the board.
In September, the board agreed to take part in a trial menu at the primary school in order to promote healthier eating in the school district.
After disappointing sales figures in September and October, certain food items were added back to the menu at the primary school, such as pizza, pasta and wraps. These food items are expected to bring an increase in lunch participation at the school, according to district officials.
With these numbers, the district broke even for sales through December.
If these number stay true to form, the district is expecting a $6,000 profit by the end of the 2015-16 school year. In October, Grinberg said the district expected to see a deficit by the end of the school year.
Grinberg said administrators have tried different promotions to increase sales, such as days where sushi and fresh Belgian Waffles are available.
Board member Kevin O’Connor suggested that Pomptonian track sales by grade level so the company has a better understanding as to who is buying lunch. O’Connor also said the results of such a study could be a sign of what to expect when pupils move to the different schools in the district.
“If you have a certain rate of participation in fifth grade, then you would expect a similar rate for those who are going to the middle school,” O’Connor said.
In other business, board President Dr. Kimberly Raymond announced the resignation of board member Kimberly Eydelman, effective Jan. 20.
“She made the transition from being a parent concerned about safety and security and did something about it by joining the board,” Raymond said. “She was very active and vocal about keeping our schools safe and she will be greatly missed.”
The board will accept letters of interest and resumes to fill the vacancy until 4 p.m. Feb. 26. The board intends to conduct interviews at the March 2 meeting and appoint a new member at the March 16 meeting. The board has until March 20 to fill the vacancy.
The board’s next meeting will be at 7 p.m. Feb. 3 in the Cedar Drive Middle School library.