May 16, 2024 at 6:00 PM - Board of Education Resource Management & Business Operations Committee Meeting

• CSDE requires annual certification by the Board of Education for participation in the Healthy Foods Certification Program
• In participating, Bethel can only serve beverages, foods, snacks and a la carte items that have been specifically approved by the CSDE.
• For participation, the District receives and additional 10 cents reimbursement from the State on each meal served. This is important to the financial success of our program.

Key Points of the Briefing:

* It is important to the Bethel Board of Education that an excellent Food Service Management Company administer the food service operations for the district in accordance with all of the regulations of the National School Lunch Program under the direction of the USDA and the CSDE.

* The CSDE reviews all required documentation between districts and FSMCs prior to approving the contract renewal.

1. Sodexo can charge an increase of up to 4.6% (the CPI) for this coming school year, but they are charging an increase of 3.5% to cover rising costs but understanding the challenges of the upcoming school year.

2. Sodexo has been a good partner and will work creatively with the district.

3. The management fee will not exceed $40,905.37 and the administrative fee cannot exceed $81,601.20 for the contract year. 

Key Points of the Briefing:    

1. To raise the school meal prices to cover increases in labor and food costs and continue to have the school lunch program run at or above break-even and to meet the USDA Paid Lunch Equity requirements. Proposal: Raise student lunch prices by $0.15 at all schools.  Elementary will be $3.25 and Middle School and High School will be $3.60. These increases will help the district to comply with the Paid Lunch Equity requirements set by the CSDE and USDA.  Breakfast at all schools will be increased $0.10 to $2.50 for all students. All student meals include a milk option. Adult meal prices also need to comply with CSDE guidelines, therefore, Adult lunch will increase to $5.00 and Adult breakfast will increase to $3.50. Adult meals do not include a beverage.

2. To set the price for reduced priced breakfast at $0.00 instead of $0.30 for the year 2024-2025.  This will continue to encourage participation in the breakfast program and ensure that our neediest students are fed each morning.  The cost to the board should be less than $3,000. 

3. Action Requested of the Board of Education: Motion needed.

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

                          2022/2023     2023/2024       2024/2025       % Increase

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.  The Special Education costs are not discounted.

• Cyber Security - Protecting the data privacy of our students and staff is one of our obligations. If we are able to purchase software or services outlined in our cybersecurity plan we would like to go forward.
• Technology - One of our goals is to have technology as a catalyst for teaching and learning. There is a long-term Chromebook replacement plan for our 1:1 strategic plan initiative for Grade K through Grade 12. If we are able to purchase the next planned replacements, we would like to go forward.
• Special Education - The SPED department is still closing their books, especially for outplacement tuition and transportation and necessary student evaluations and outside services; this will all be reconciled. Budget transfers will be needed to cover Special Education overruns in certain areas which will be finalized and brought to the BOE in August 2024 as usual.
• Facilities - With a reduced 460 budget there are a few critical maintenance items that we had this year and we will need to transfer funds to cover these expenses.
• Unexpended Funds Account - Knowing that we are facing rising Special Education costs, we will plan to deposit any unspent funds to this account which is for opportunities and contingencies in the future.  We do not anticipate that there will be much at all remaining this year to deposit here.