School looks at Aramark food service, high school boiler needs

" Wow,
This seems ridiculous. I have been a bit removed from the school since moving away, but not much seems to have changed. I think there are a few that need to throw in the towel on that board. They earned their reputation about 10 years ago when they pushed out Ray Driskall--it seems that they don't give a "Hoot" about teaching the boys and girls the lessons a great coach can. It is not that some of us, as members of the community, HAVE to have a winning program--but it is just that we do not care how much playing time the Kid of the school board member gets, or if they feel they have been treated fairly. We all need to remember who will be suffering because of the egos of a few on the SB...The Kids--our future.

1. Aramark does not have a great reputation for bringing great results. But if they are cheap (and I do mean CHEAP) Hamilton Administration will bring them in.
2. Marty is a great guy, and it will be a huge loss for the girls who could have learned from his dedication and instruction. This is not the first time he has been hosed by that district, and I really don't blame him for being upset about things. Better things are waiting for ya Marty; Go Get 'em!
3. The University of Iowa is NOT Second Tier--Go Hawks! "

" First of all, I'm no one named Ron. Sorry to dissappoint you. The comments I made earlier were this. Perhaps they'l come through this time. Mrs. Noble was hired as Jr. High girls coach. What a good idea. They're young girls and should have a woman with them. Marty would be fine as assistant. He and a buddy came to the school and threw a fit because he wasn't head coach. Mrs. Noble apparently heard the noise and resigned. Said she didn't want to be caught in the middle. Due to conduct, Marty was released. Simple as that from what I was told.

About Aramark. I don't know about their food. I seriously doubt anyone will replace the current staff if it can possibly be avoided. Better ask if the current lunch situation is affordable. I agree we need to keep people in their jobs. Those ladies are awesome, but if it's too expensive there's not much choice.

Cheer up everyone. We've got a great school. Everyone out there complaining about the board....was your name on the ballot? I 'm glad these folks are willing. Not a job I'd want. "

" Nice try Ron. Trying to cover your rear now?

So Sad wrote on Oct 4, 2008 10:51 AM:

" I made a comment on this board a couple of days ago about some truths that never seem to come out about this situation with the Jr. High coaching. Apparently the DGC didn't see the comments as worthy. Now the trash talk continues of the board and administration. So Sad. Don't believe everything you read. " "

" The Marty Hall thing has been beat to death repeatedly in another forum. I don't understand why you are upset that no one is talking about Marty in a forum that is primarily about ARAMARK!

The sad thing is I wasted 2 minutes of my life that I will never get back checking to see other people's views on ARAMARK and instead I am commenting to you!!!!

As for "trash talk" HSD's admin/board... if they are going to make a stupid decision like bringing in Aramark, then they are an open target for people to talk trash about. "

" I made a comment on this board a couple of days ago about some truths that never seem to come out about this situation with the Jr. High coaching. Apparently the DGC didn't see the comments as worthy. Now the trash talk continues of the board and administration. So Sad. Don't believe everything you read. "

" It sounds like a good house cleaning of the whole group would benefit the school. You can go to a football game on Friday night and almost guarantee you are going to here of a blunder they have pulled. Why be on the school board if you don't have kids in school? Things happening do not effect their kids and they sure aren't concerned about the well-being of the kids. Girls Basketball Coop is one example of that. Worse yet, why go into Administration at a school system if you aren't concerned about the kids and how your actions effect them? I don't see that the well-being of the kids is considered first and as a parent that is what I want my administration to think about before a decision is made. I would really be surprised if this is the last we see of this situation. If these people have any pride in themselves whatsoever something needs to be done. On another note, school board presidents son or not they have put him in an awkward position. I hear he is a great young man but has never coached. So you take him from an assistant job where he could actually learn something and throw him into a head job for Jr. High girls. Wow, I give him credit for even taking the job after originally saying they wouldn't hire him. That shows great character as that would be a tough situation to go into. Good luck to all. "

" Yes, it would be too funny if it weren't so sad that people who can't even tell if/when they're hired or fired weren't being hurt by these contant antics..or the studentswho go to practice not knowing from day to day who the coach is and what is going on....especially since Mr. Hall chose to coach these girls over another ooaching position he could have had in Keokuk. As to Ridiculous comment on Mr. Dion...hard to tell but looks like he's just stuck in the middle trying to keep track of all the lies - probably doesn't know what to do! Seems like much here wasn't handled properly - what about the other two - why was the golf coach and 5/6 basketball coach released?? When they're in season like girls basketball and golf - isn't that being fired ?? If so, was that done properly?? Somehow I doubt it! "

" This board is like reading the enquirer but unfortunately most of it is true. It wasn't that long ago that Mr. Hall was hired for a position that he didn't apply for, then the lady that took the position he applied for resigned the position, then he was asked to take the position by the Principal and AD, he took the job, then was released for unknown reasons, and now the assistant he chose is now the head coach of the team. Did the assistant even apply for the head job or did they just assume he would take it? Was Mr. Hall ever released from the assistant job in order to take the head job? Are you confused or better yet rolling on the floor laughing? I am a pretty faithful reader of the Daily Gate and I am not saying I didn't miss an issue where the school board voted on all of this. It's really sad when one school system draws so much unnecessary attention to themselves. It sounds like none of this would have happened had it been handled properly. "

" Unfortunately ridiculous is absolutely right - it is politics as usual with HSD. Even more sad, it's the girls who suffer - having 3-4 coaching changes before they even start their season!! What a great example is being set by the administrators and board. "

" The new Jr High girls basketball coach is the school board presidents son. So, no there are no politics played by the board at all. "

" Ok, I'll bite. What lies were told in the firing of Mr. Hall? That's a pretty big statement. Does Mr. Dion not have any say in any of this? Or is it politics as usual? "

" I just wish Hamilton administrators and board would stop and think about the mission statement that is on their website--maybe a little more adherence to it would eliminate some of the continual problems... as a reminder, here it is.

"Hamilton High School will provide a safe, friendly place where students can develop the techniques, skills and attitudes that will lead them to become productive responsible adults ready to meet the changing world in which they live." "

" Aramark like the other contract food service companies could provide a great service, if the district takes the time to fully understand all of the purchasing agreements, labor costs, and other expenses that may be part of the monthly statement.
Good luck, just be aware and careful. "

" So just what is meant by the comment “What typically happens is that school lunch programs get personnel heavy,” said Jackson. “Also, school districts must sell food too cheaply. Does this mean that they think they had too much help and wasn't charging enough money? I took it that the district MUST sell food cheaply, whereas Aramark can charge whatever they want? I have three children going to school in Hamilton and I think it is a fair price. It gets a little tight every now and then but we make it. Kinda gets back to the old saying because the kids were bring in brown bag lunches. "you can't afford school lunches because youre on welfare" Should be reversed to "You can't afford it because youre not on walfare". Oh by the way. My name was withheld becuse of what some readers do to the responders on these things. If they had to use names the discussions would not be near as interesting. "

" What are you talking about Rediculous? "

" Apparently they released Mr Hall b/c they don't want to have a good program, and don't know a good thing when they see it. We all know who Stephanie Noble is about as well as she knows Jr High Girls Basketball, so what do they do, they hire her, get rid of marty, and then hire someone else. It's ridiculous how many politics are involved at HSD... and how they all lie to get what they want when it's not in anyones best interest. Gilbert and JJ need a reality check! "

" Come on "Not to bad", I don't think we need to be lowering ourselves to the standards of a second tier institution like the University of Iowa. Hamilton High IS NOT SECOND TIER. We have fine schools, with fine students and fine teachers and a set of administrators who are just looking out for their benefit. I'm tired of all the negativity surrounding Hamilton Schools and the way you all gripe when change is needed for improvement, or to prevent monetary shortfalls. Dr. J has already stated in the paper that Hamilton Schools was taking a huge hit from the government and we'd be around $250,000 in the hole. Let's give him the benefit of the doubt and see if he can't pull us out of this sticky monetary situation. If we're going to get that $500,000 science room renovation, help has to come from somewhere. Good luck and best wishes. "

" Just wanted to voice that I agree with many of the previous comments. I didn't realize that we were trying to make a profit from the lunch program. As a taxpayer I would much rather my dollars go to support local workers than an outside company! Maybe our administrators should take pay cuts if they are so concerned about saving money! "

" As said earlier, do a Google on Aramark Food Services and let me know how well most universities are getting along with them. I dealt with them on the uniform side, and if they do as good a job on food as they do with their service on uniforms, parents better buy a bunch of brown bags. Besides that, they are not easy to deal with and will require a fairly lengthy contract. If you ever try to leave even after the contract has expired, they take pretty good care of themselves. "

" I'm surprised nobody has even mentioned all of the personnel issues that were mentioned at the end of the article...what's up with that? Why was Mr. Hall released? And who is Stephanie Noble? A basketball coach? "

" I've always heard you follow the money trail. Start there to see if there's a reason for JJ to be pushing Aramark and also look there for the way the districts' health insurance bid was handled and why it went to a company in Springfield when the same thing could have been done locally. "

" They make a sturdy uniform, they are not that tasty though. "

" It doesn't matter what the parents want at Hamilton, because the school board and Administration in the district are a joke anyways. They will lie to anyone to get what they want. It's very sad, b/c I'm sure that Hamilton has good students, but unfortunatley the board and administration, do what's best for themselves, and not the students! "

" Aramark will make their profit by increasing the cost of lunch and paying lower wages (probably minimum wage) with no benefits to their employees. If the current lunch ladies want to be hired (if they are even offered a position) by Aramark they will be doing the same job for less money. I don't know if they would even want to after the school board showed their gratitude for their loyal service by kicking them in the teeth and firing them only to see if they are offered a lower paying position with Aramark. Most of these women went to school here, have or had children and grand children in this school district and pay taxes to this school district. They support the kids fund raisers and sporting events. Is Aramark going to do this? I don't think so. They will take their profit outside the community and I doubt if you will see them at a sports events or giving any money towards fund raisers. I am beginning to wonder WHO is really going to profit from this arrangement? Contracted lunch service was tried in this school district before and it did not work. "

" If they were that bad I don't think the University of Iowa would use them.
They seem to do a good job for them. "

" You said it best. I agree! "

" I personally should be be put out for the tax payers to see. And I think the there should be a team to go through it line by line.... that team should consist of administration, board, AND TAX PAYING PARENTS!
And when and if Aramark is chosen, it should be brought in the same way. With a decision made by a team that has researched it. "

" The school is only researching options, no one has committed to anything. We would not do anything to jeopardize the school. All the research will be done, pros and cons will be weighed against each other, and a responsible decision will be made, just as it ALWAYS is. "

" I don't think it would be a bad idea id we could profit from them, we need the money! "

" What is this Aramark? Should we as parents be asked? I "

" got an opinion, voice it at the school board meeting. "

" I see HSD is doing their job on figuring the budget, finding ways to cut costs, and as always making sure we have a quality education for your children. The key work in that sentence "QUALITY". So why is it that they are looking at Aramark?
Our school lunches are adequate, well priced, and quality for our children. If HSD is doing their job then they will research Aramark. Please, anyone do an internet search on Aramark . If this helps go to any of these links..
http://media.www.arbiteronline.com/media/storage/paper890/news/2008/08/20/Opinion/Aramark.Leaves.Bad.Taste.In.Wallet-3400223.shtml
http://web.utk.edu/~psa/workers/aramark_off.pdf
http://www.angelfire.com/fl3/starke/ohiohidden.html
http://tech.mit.edu/V115/N63/aramar.63c.htm l.....

and on and on and on... I typed "Aramark bad" and those are just the articles on one page.

The facts about Aramark is that they are notorious for selling institutions on great food, variety, and I am sure the one that gave HSD a h*rd on was the PROFIT.

Now for a reality check, well known facts about Aramark is that food is great teh first year, then it goes down to crap. Another fact is they will show great numbers and some profit the first year but after the contract is signed, they can and DO raise their prices. For low income families they will get an "allotment" and of that amount runs out a month before school gets out because ARAMARK raises their prices, the kids DO NOT EAT! But my guess is that once Aramark starts serving bad food, like in the articles I read, the kids will bag their lunch anyway and Aramark won't sell anything. If that happens then Aramark charges the school the amount did not get. IT IS A LOSE LOSE SITUATION!!!
So now Jimmie J. wants to Aramark in and our tax paying, locally employed lunch ladies to work for Aramark (if Aramark will even hire them).

WAKE UP PEOPLE... this is NOT A GOOD IDEA!!!! Do the research. Don't take my word for it!!!! Look it up.

ANd one more EXCELLENT POINT YOU ALL MUST READ..... years ago raising our lunch prices brought up make PROFIT... Dr, Steve Breckon said NO.. it is a school, not a business, we will not profit from our lunches. So they DIDN'T... if the concern is PROFIT... why not raise our own lunch prices, continue with the foods we have, keep our local employees, and find other areas to cut corners, make money, or earn profit.

How about the $10 plus grand the HIGH SCHOOL OFFICE just had to remodel.. what a necessity!!
Anyone want to talk about a concession stand???

OPEN YOUR EYES PEOPLE... by the time Aramark screw HSD over, JJ will have been long gone and the next admin will be left to clean up his mess. "

" A company like Aramark is in it to make money and has the same personnel expense that the school district does. Selection may go up, but so will the charge for lunch. Is the goal of the current lunch program to make a profit or serve the students?? I need someone to explain to me how hiring an independent company is going to not raise prices, provide a better meal and make money doing it. They still have the cost of food, personnel to fix it and now we add the one element here that would be expected by any company in business. PROFIT MARGIN! "