USD 234 changes meal distribution plan

USD 234 officials made some changes in meal distribution this week as they evaluate food service while schools are closed.

According to district information, the district will be conducting two distributions this week. On Monday, each child was to receive four meals, while on Wednesday, each child will receive a total of six meals. Youth will receive the same amount of meals for the week but will pick them up over two days.

Buses will stop at the following times and locations:

• Route A — St. Mary’s, 10 a.m., Eighth and Burke streets, 10:15 a.m., Fourth and Couch streets, 10:30 a.m., Fifth and Judson streets, 10:45 a.m., Wall and Judson streets, 11 a.m.

• Route B — Eighth and Wilson streets, 10 a.m., Fifth and Wilson streets, 10:15 a.m., Second and Andrick streets, 10:30 a.m., First and Cameron streets, 10:45 a.m., Pine and Caldwell streets, 11 a.m.

• Route C — Emmert and Beech streets, 10 a.m., Church of Christ, 1900 S. Margrave, 10:15 a.m., 15th and Ransom streets, 10:30 a.m., 17th and Crawford streets, 10:45 a.m., Community Christian Church, 19th and Huntington, 11 a.m.

• Route D — Devon Fire Station, 10:05 a.m., Fulton Community Center, 10:30 a.m., Hammond Community Center, 10:45 a.m.

• Route E — Indian Road and 187th Terr., Fort Scott Municipal Airport, 10 a.m., U.S. Highway 69 and Deer Road, Faith Church, 10:25 a.m., Jayhawk Road and 240th St., 10:50 a.m.

Meals can also be picked up between 10 and 11 a.m. at Fort Scott High School, Ninth Street, and Eugene Ware School, Fourth Street. Families are asked to remain in their vehicles and maintain the social distancing recommendation of six feet between individuals. There will not be pick up available at Fort Scott Middle School or Winfield Scott, according to district information.

Drop off includes breakfast and lunch. Children with dietary restrictions should notify the bus attendance. The child must be present to receive meals. Buses will stop at each in-town location for 10 minutes and then move to the next location. Buses on Route D and Route E will keep moving after meals have been distributed at those stops.

District officials and members of the USD 234 Board of Education discussed food service during a special virtual meeting Friday afternoon.

USD 234 Superintendent Ted Hessong said he wanted to thank Food Service Director Robin Button “for her leadership at this time,” as well as Transportation Director Joe Allen and their staff for their work in the meal distributions.

“Her staff has been great,” Hessong said. “We’ve had some staff volunteer and help out in all this … as well as Joe Allen and his department. We’re receiving a lot of positive feedback. We have some kinks to work out but we’re doing the best we can.”

To practice safety and comply with state guidelines during the COVID-19 pandemic, meals were delivered Monday through Thursday last week, with kids receiving a total of four meals on Thursday.

“We streamlined the process to Monday through Thursday,” USD 234 Business Manager Gina Shelton said Friday. “We’re distributing two sets of meals this week to continue our effort to limit our contact with people.”

Shelton said the proposal for the week of March 30 is to do meal preparation on Monday, and distribute meals Tuesday and Wednesday.

Board President David Stewart asked Shelton if the meals that are being prepared can be “saved for a week, or what’s the time period?”

“Most of the meals so far are for the most part shelf stable meals,” Shelton said. “When families get them, they can put them in the refrigerator and they will last for the portion of those days. Every package is giving advice on food safety. We’ve actually seen the number of meals increase.”

When the meal distributions began March 23, Shelton said there were 426 meals served the first day, “then it went up over 450 and it was closer to 600 meals this last time. It will continue to be higher meals expected than what we’re doing right now.”

Board member Gary Billionis asked if the state has “dropped the regulation that the student” must be present at the drop-off point to pick up meals.

Hessong said the district can provide meals for anyone 1 to 18 years of age.

“The regulation was lifted for the child to be present for the child to get the meal. We will have to manage that,” Hessong said. “The main thing is, we tally the number of meals that we have. We will encourage social distancing at pick-up and drop-off spots. We will continue to provide meals during the stay-at-home order in the fashion we’ve been doing.”

Hessong said the student being present to receive the meal is an “option districts can choose to do.” He said he is evaluating this option and will make a decision after talking with Button.

Board member Jamie Armstrong asked if there has been any “pushback” from community members on the meal distribution plan.

“We have seen some positive with it,” Shelton said. “We’re still maintaining the rules set by Bourbon County. We haven’t seen that much pushback. The real challenge is families with several children, but those are in the minority, not the majority.”

“We will keep an eye on this,” Hessong said. “If they do progress with COVID-19 locally, we will identify how we’re doing this as a district. We want to provide food for kids in our district, but also be safe.”

Hessong said Friday district officials are working with “food suppliers and distributors that are having trouble supplying enough food for districts.

“We want to minimize our staff having to be going through that process and help ensure their safety as well,” he said.

Following an executive session to discuss personnel matters for non-elected personnel, the board approved the following employment items:

Resignations

Haley Troutman, Eugene Ware fourth grade teacher, effective at the end of the 2019-20 school year; Jill Couch, Eugene Ware fifth grade teacher, effective June 30; Emily Elliott, high school/middle school vocal teacher, effective at the end of the 2019-20 school year; Thomas Russell, high school paraprofessional, effective March 12.

Employment

Tim Herman, Eugene Ware/Winfield Scott custodian for the remainder of the 2019-20 school year.

The following are frequently asked questions on the district’s food service plan, and responses from the district:

• What days will meals be distributed?

“Monday and Wednesday only for the Week of March 30. There will not be any distributions Tuesday, Thursday, or Friday. The child will still receive the same amount of meals.

• Do I need to bring my kids with me?

“Yes. According to federal and state regulations we must be able to visually see the child. At this point, we are still requiring this.”

• Do I have to go to the school my child attends?

“No. These are distribution points and are not in connection to the school your child attends.”

• I have kids attending at each of the schools, do I need to go to each school?

“No. Pick up where it is most convenient for you.”

• Can I pick up a meal to take home to my child?

“No. We must be able to visibly see the child.”

• What ages can be served?

“We can serve ages 1-18.”

• Do I need to call ahead?

“No.”

• Does a parent have to be present?

“No. Kids can pick up the meals if you, as a parent, feel comfortable letting them.”

• How do I pick up my children’s meals using the food service route (bus route)?

“The meals will be distributed from the back of the bus by USD 234 staff. Please form a line practicing social distancing starting at the back of the bus.”

• Are foods going to be delivered to my door?

“No. The safety of our kids and our staff is the highest priority. We do not have the resources nor the capability to deliver to each household.”

• How do I pick up at the school pick-up points?

“We will be running these like a drive-thru line. Please pull into the line. Please remain in the car for all our safety. If you walk up to the school, there will be a table for that purpose. We highly recommend that you drive through the pick-up line.”

• Do I have to qualify for free or reduced meals with the school?

“No. Any child 1-18 can participate.”