Ferguson-Florissant Food Service Remains Under Close Watch

Ferguson-Florissant Board of Education approved the renewal of the Aramark food service contract last month, but the board could consider a different move next year.

The board renewed the contract for the 2013-2014 school year at a cost of $6.1 million for the fiscal year. The contract is for a total of five years, but the board has the option to renew each year.

The board agreed it wanted to see more information and details in regards to the food service experience ahead of next year’s proposed contract renewal.

Board director Brian Scott Ebert entertained the idea of bringing the food service in-house in the future.

District Finance Director Laura Modrusic said that bringing service back in house could be an option discussed in the future, and it’s something that could help with the district’s finances.

The district currently faces a $6 million shortfall for the 2013-2014 school year.

Modrusic said that foodservice employees work for the district as well as all equipment belongs to the district.

According to district spokeswoman Jana Shortt, Aramark provides monitoring USDA regulations, responding to all correspondence to and from the food service program at Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, managing the day-to-day operations including providing meal selections for our students and managing staff.

Board vice president Chris Martinez said that he didn’t understand why a neutral food service survey had not been sent out on an annual basis. Currently, Aramark does a food service survey, which is presented to the board.

Superintendent Art McCoy said that the district will be done on food service during the first quarter of the school year, and it would be wrapped up by Halloween.

Those findings will be presented to the board at its November meeting.