This fall, Douglas County Colleges shall be one in all many districts throughout the state providing a free and wholesome lunch to any scholar who wants or desires it.
All of it comes after voters permitted the statewide program within the November election, whereas the superintendent chose to opt in.
It is a selection that can add a number of work for the understaffed diet providers division, so the district is trying to rent many new staff.
Within the cafeteria of Cougar Run Elementary, lunchtime is a whirlwind expertise because the workers serves seven grades and greater than 230 youngsters a day.
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After years of apply, Amanda Teirelbar has seemingly mastered this balancing act, because of luxurious different kitchen managers do not have.
Every day, her colleagues, Jeffrey and Eduardo, carry a big a part of the workload. Each are mother and father of former college students on the faculty.
“It is a fast-paced job, and we actually prefer it,” Teirelbar stated. “For us, we’re very fortunate, however there’s positively colleges which can be struggling that solely have a supervisor or do not have a supervisor.”
Throughout Douglas County Colleges, there’s a big scarcity of cafeteria staff following a yearslong battle to rent and retain workers.
This fall, that must change although, with a brand new voter-approved free lunch program set to start.
The funding comes from the not too long ago handed Proposition FF, which places a cap on sure tax deductions for these making greater than $300,000 a 12 months. The poll measure impacts state revenue taxes solely.
“We’re down about 50 staff; each managers and kitchen assistants at this level,” stated Jen Piefer, Director of Vitamin Providers for DCSD.
This upcoming faculty 12 months, the district is anticipating to serve nearly twice as many meals as this previous 12 months, Piefer stated. To make that potential, it should want near 100 staff working each part-time and full-time.
“We’re thrilled to get to serve free meals subsequent 12 months, however it requires extra individuals, it requires extra manpower,” Piefer stated.
With out that further assist, kitchen managers could should make modifications like chopping down menus to ensure each scholar will get a free and wholesome meal.
“Children are getting fed day by day and we’ll make it occur, however it turns into more and more tough if we do not get extra staff,” Piefer defined.
At Cougar Run, Teirelbar hopes to develop her group’s hours fairly than rent to satisfy the demand.
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“We will certainly want extra prep time,” she stated.
Whereas a serious enterprise, she sees the brand new program as a chance to serve college students higher than earlier than.
“I simply suppose it is fantastic that subsequent 12 months after which indefinitely we would be able to do this to supply a break to households.”
Half of the roles are at the moment posted on the district’s web site. The opposite half shall be posted following spring break.
If you’re fascinated by making use of, you’ll be able to go to DCSD’s careers page.
