Central board shoulders cost of breakfast program

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By Jason Arndt
Staff Writer

Despite operating at a loss, the Westosha Central High School District has opted to continue its breakfast program for next school year, with officials noting it is imperative to serve all student needs.

The breakfast program, which falls under the lunch budget, is estimated to lose $3,200 next year, a statement issued to the board by District Administrator Scott Pierce on June 14 said.

“We project, based on participation, and we also sent letters out to all of our parents and all of the eligible students that we are back in the breakfast business,” stated Pierce, explaining the program stopped at the beginning of the 2015-16 school year due to costs.

Currently, about 20 percent of Westosha Central High School students are enrolled in the free and reduced lunch program, but Pierce stated that half are eligible.

After the 2014-15 school year, the breakfast program had been discontinued when the overall program, including lunch incurred a budget shortfall.

However, when lunch revenue increased during the 2015-16 school year, the board decided to reinstate the breakfast program in April.

Prior to reinstatement, school officials and student organizations pitched in to help those students who need breakfast.

Principal Lisa Albrecht stepped in, storing snacks in her office and providing them to students who are in need of food during the school year, according to the school board meeting minutes.

Additionally, the student council reportedly donated $500 to the Sharing Center of Trevor, to help the nonprofit organization offset costs of contributions to the school.

Pierce told board members it is necessary to keep the program.

“We believe it would be important for us to have the breakfast program,” Pierce said.

If not for the lunch program, it could have been a different story, according to Pierce.

“It is just one of those programs where we are not to make any money, and overall, the lunch program hit the black this year,” Pierce stated.

The school is not in the federally funded school lunch program, he said.

Other developments
The board has entered discussions on trimming the Community Report Paper, a newsletter distributed to parents and students, from six hard copies to three.

To offset the loss of three hard copies, Pierce told board members they will supplement it with three electronic editions, and use the cost savings to develop a new app and upgrade its school website.

FalconApp is a tool Pierce hopes can expedite communication in event of emergencies, including school closures, and better inform parents.

The app, installed on an Android or iPhone, is expected to cost nearly $4,500 to start.

“Annual maintenance has yet to be defined dependent on the app and services required,” said Pierce, reporting Cooperative Educational Services Agency will serve as the vendor.

Additionally, the school seeks to upgrade its website with the savings.


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