June 25, 2015 at 6:00 PM - Bethel Board of Education Resource Management & Business Operations Meeting

Certification Program for many years.  By participating, Bethel can only serve snacks and a la carte items that specifically have been approved by the CSDE Bureau of Health & Nutrition.  Each year we report to the CSDE each and every a la carte/snack item that we serve in our schools and it is checked against the approved list.  The CSDE has been pleased with our adherence to the law.

For participation the District receives an additional 10 cents reimbursement from the State on each meal served.  This is important as with the choices of snack items limited, the revenue has dipped. The additional 10 cents has been kept us on track.

First the BOE must choose whether to renew its participation in this program and second, the BOE has to choose to renew its allowance of the exception of items not on the CSDE list when sold after school at events.

BOE Motions Needed:

1) On behalf of the Bethel Board of Education and pursuant to section 10-215f of the Connecticut General Statutes, we hereby certify that all food items offered for sale to students in the schools under our jurisdiction, and not exempted from the Connecticut Nutrition Standards published by the Connecticut State Department of Education, will meet said standards during the period of July 1,2015 through June 30, 2016.  Such certification shall include all food offered for sale to students separately from reimbursable meals at all times and from all sources, including but not limited to, school stores, vending machines, school cafeterias, and any fundraising activities on school premises, whether or not school sponsored.

2)Pursuant to section 10-215f of the Connecticut General Statutes, I hereby acknowledge that the Board of Education or governing authority, will exclude from certification  food items that do not meet the Connecticut Nutrition Standards, provided that (1) such food is sold in connection with an event occurring after the end of the regular school day or on the weekend, (2) such sale is at the location of the event, and (3) such food is not sold from a vending machine or school store.

* Raising student lunch prices a modest amount at all schools.  Elementary will be $2.70 which matches the minimum required Paid Equity by the USDA and Middle School and High School will be $3.10.  All student lunch prices include milk.

* Raising all school breakfast prices by $.05 to $2.15.

* Bethel’s prices are very similar to other school districts in this area and across the state.

Summary of the Briefing:

1. To raise the school meal prices at inflation rates to cover increases in labor and food costs and continue to have the school lunch program run at or above break-even. 

2. To set the price for reduced priced breakfast at $0.00 instead of 30 cents for the year 2015-2016.  This will encourage participation in the breakfast program and insure that our neediest students are fed each morning.  The cost to the board should be less than $1,000.

Pursuant to Board of Education Policy, the following tuition rates for non-resident students attending Bethel Public Schools are recommended:

                                    2012/2013       2013/2014       2014/2015       2015/2016       % Increase

Elem/Middle                $11,225           $11,577           $11,923           $12,165           2.03%

High School                $12,950           $13,357           $13,756           $14,035           2.03%

These tuition rates do not include transportation.  Additionally, Special Education rates will be calculated as needed based on the costs of a specific program with related services.

*  As we are in the last week of the fiscal year, final payrolls are posting and then we will know what funds remain with which to make a positive impact on our district:

* 1) Unexpended Funds Account – Knowing that we tightened some budget lines for 2015-2016 and this account is for opportunities and contingencies, we will make a contribution to the unexpended funds account.

* 2) Technology – One of the four Board of Education goals is to have technology as a catalyst for teaching and learning.  We will continue to move forward in this area.

* 3) Special Education – The SPED department will also move forward with technology purchases making sure that access to technology is available for all students.

* 4) Safety – This area continues to be paramount and we will add security measures in accordance with our approved plan.

* 5) Furniture, Fixtures, Equipment – There are always needs to update our FF&E.  These assets are what our stakeholders see and use when in our schools.