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School looks at Aramark food service, high school boiler needs
By Diane Vance/Gate City Staff Writer
HAMILTON, Ill. - Tamie Fornhoff, director of food service at Aramark Educational Services visited the Hamilton School District Sept. 16, touring the district's two cafeterias at lunch time.
“This was a preliminary visit,” Superintendent Dr. Jim Jackson told the school board at its regular meeting Sept. 17. “She's gathering information. She went over the lunch counts and the personnel expenses versus costs. Tamie will return in a few months with a report for the board.”
Jackson said he is looking at the possibility of using Aramark as the district's food service. He supplied a copy of Fornhoff's letter sent the day after her visit.
Fornhoff writes in part: “Food service management is about employing outside expertise in the delivery of a school district's food program. It is really more ‘resourcing' rather than outsourcing, in order to gain a distinct economic advantage and to realize a higher level of service, while allowing the school district to focus their resources and core competencies on educating children.”
“I've worked with Aramark in two other school districts,” said Jackson. “I've never seen them come in and not save a district money.”
Board member Mark Menn said he would like to review Hamilton's revenue and expenses for its breakfast and lunch programs.
Jackson said he could provide that at the next school board meeting, Oct. 15.
“What typically happens is that school lunch programs get personnel heavy,” said Jackson. “Also, school districts must sell food too cheaply. The board will negotiate the meal prices if Aramark comes in. The board always sets the lunch and milk prices just like book fees.
“Aramark makes its money off the difference a school charges and what Aramark pays its employees.”
Menn asked if Aramark would hire Hamilton's food service workers.
“If they choose to work for Aramark,” said Jackson. “Not everything will be the same.”
Board President Doug Summers said there is concern in the community about price and quality.
“The board would be remiss not to investigate saving money,” said Summers. “We need to look at different ways to save. The board believes it's important to look at other ways to do business. It's a financial decision.”
Jackson said students usually like Aramark because it offers more choices on the menu.
Visit Aramark's Web site at www.aramarkschools.com for information.
In other business:
Elementary Principal David Snowden said the Sept. 16 open house had a nearly 100 percent attendance. He said it was a very positive evening for the school.
The elementary will start a support group for parents of students with attention deficit disorders, learning disorders and other special needs. Carol Rankin, West Central Illinois Special Education Coop, will help.
The first meeting is at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 8. Child care will be provided. Those attending the group will decide the topics. Parents can contact Rankin at 217-743-6305 for more information.
n Snowden also said the computer student management system, S.T. I., has many problems.
“It wasn't designed for elementary,” he said. “Customer support is absolutely horrible. I firmly believe we'll have to deal with it soon. The whole idea of a student management system is to make educators' jobs easier.
“Mr. Gilbert and I are looking at systems used in other districts.”
Ron Gilbert, junior high and high school principal, also said open house was a positive experience.
He reported 286 students, grades 8-12, have met with math teacher Michael Uppinghouse in the first four weeks of school in their free time before and after school to get help in math or get caught up with work.
“We have a Success Group, which meets after school,” he said. “Staff tutors students. Anyone in the community who would like to volunteer to help is welcome to come in.
“We have students lining up to see Mr. Uppinghouse. He lives in Quincy but he gets here at 6 a.m. each day.”
Summers attended the high school open house. Parents were given the opportunity to briefly attend each class on the student's schedule.
“I thought the format was innovative,” he said. “Thanks to Mr. Uppinghouse for his dedication to students and education. He really has students enthusiastic about math.”
n A former Hamilton resident now living in Florida has donated $600 to enhance the school safety program.
The large boiler at the high school has a few leaks that need repair.
“It doesn't run consistently,” said board member Tim Hempen. “It's too big.”
District maintenance supervisor Steve Schlatter said the boiler has metal fatigue.
“We've replaced 120 tubes 10 years ago,” he said. “It was installed in 1970. We may need to replace two-to-five tubes, at least one in the high school and one in Safford Auditorium. It will cost $1,200 to $5,600 depending on how many we need to replace. The boiler is too big. It's always recycling.”
Summers said the district should check if there is any “green” grant money available.
In personnel actions, the board accepted the resignation of Stephanie Noble as junior high girls head basketball coach; released Lisa McCready as Titans girls golf coach (Dan Buelt is coaching Titans boys and girls golf); released Joe Coulter as fifth/sixth grade girls basketball coach and hired Perry Ellingboe to coach; hired Zachary Summers as junior high girls head basketball coach and as assistant Titans baseball coach; and released Marty Hall as junior high girls assistant basketball coach.
Approved early graduation for Kelsey Lay.
“This was a preliminary visit,” Superintendent Dr. Jim Jackson told the school board at its regular meeting Sept. 17. “She's gathering information. She went over the lunch counts and the personnel expenses versus costs. Tamie will return in a few months with a report for the board.”
Jackson said he is looking at the possibility of using Aramark as the district's food service. He supplied a copy of Fornhoff's letter sent the day after her visit.
Fornhoff writes in part: “Food service management is about employing outside expertise in the delivery of a school district's food program. It is really more ‘resourcing' rather than outsourcing, in order to gain a distinct economic advantage and to realize a higher level of service, while allowing the school district to focus their resources and core competencies on educating children.”
“I've worked with Aramark in two other school districts,” said Jackson. “I've never seen them come in and not save a district money.”
Board member Mark Menn said he would like to review Hamilton's revenue and expenses for its breakfast and lunch programs.
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“What typically happens is that school lunch programs get personnel heavy,” said Jackson. “Also, school districts must sell food too cheaply. The board will negotiate the meal prices if Aramark comes in. The board always sets the lunch and milk prices just like book fees.
“Aramark makes its money off the difference a school charges and what Aramark pays its employees.”
Menn asked if Aramark would hire Hamilton's food service workers.
“If they choose to work for Aramark,” said Jackson. “Not everything will be the same.”
Board President Doug Summers said there is concern in the community about price and quality.
“The board would be remiss not to investigate saving money,” said Summers. “We need to look at different ways to save. The board believes it's important to look at other ways to do business. It's a financial decision.”
Jackson said students usually like Aramark because it offers more choices on the menu.
Visit Aramark's Web site at www.aramarkschools.com for information.
In other business:
Elementary Principal David Snowden said the Sept. 16 open house had a nearly 100 percent attendance. He said it was a very positive evening for the school.
The elementary will start a support group for parents of students with attention deficit disorders, learning disorders and other special needs. Carol Rankin, West Central Illinois Special Education Coop, will help.
The first meeting is at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 8. Child care will be provided. Those attending the group will decide the topics. Parents can contact Rankin at 217-743-6305 for more information.
n Snowden also said the computer student management system, S.T. I., has many problems.
“It wasn't designed for elementary,” he said. “Customer support is absolutely horrible. I firmly believe we'll have to deal with it soon. The whole idea of a student management system is to make educators' jobs easier.
“Mr. Gilbert and I are looking at systems used in other districts.”
Ron Gilbert, junior high and high school principal, also said open house was a positive experience.
He reported 286 students, grades 8-12, have met with math teacher Michael Uppinghouse in the first four weeks of school in their free time before and after school to get help in math or get caught up with work.
“We have a Success Group, which meets after school,” he said. “Staff tutors students. Anyone in the community who would like to volunteer to help is welcome to come in.
“We have students lining up to see Mr. Uppinghouse. He lives in Quincy but he gets here at 6 a.m. each day.”
Summers attended the high school open house. Parents were given the opportunity to briefly attend each class on the student's schedule.
“I thought the format was innovative,” he said. “Thanks to Mr. Uppinghouse for his dedication to students and education. He really has students enthusiastic about math.”
n A former Hamilton resident now living in Florida has donated $600 to enhance the school safety program.
The large boiler at the high school has a few leaks that need repair.
“It doesn't run consistently,” said board member Tim Hempen. “It's too big.”
District maintenance supervisor Steve Schlatter said the boiler has metal fatigue.
“We've replaced 120 tubes 10 years ago,” he said. “It was installed in 1970. We may need to replace two-to-five tubes, at least one in the high school and one in Safford Auditorium. It will cost $1,200 to $5,600 depending on how many we need to replace. The boiler is too big. It's always recycling.”
Summers said the district should check if there is any “green” grant money available.
In personnel actions, the board accepted the resignation of Stephanie Noble as junior high girls head basketball coach; released Lisa McCready as Titans girls golf coach (Dan Buelt is coaching Titans boys and girls golf); released Joe Coulter as fifth/sixth grade girls basketball coach and hired Perry Ellingboe to coach; hired Zachary Summers as junior high girls head basketball coach and as assistant Titans baseball coach; and released Marty Hall as junior high girls assistant basketball coach.
Approved early graduation for Kelsey Lay.
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