By Shannon McFarlin WENK/WTPR News Director
Paris, Tenn.—Upon recommendation of Director of Schools Dr. Norma Gerrell, the Paris Special Schools District (PSSD) board Tuesday night approved a new position for District Nutrition Director.
Gerrell said the district is sorely lacking by not having a person to oversee the district’s food service program. “I’m seeing signs of inefficiency because we don’t have our own person leading our cafeterias,” she said. “Since April of 2016, we have not had a food service director and we’re feeding more and more children and feeding more and more adults.”
The food service department is the second-largest department in the district, she said (after teachers) “and yet we don’t have a department head”.
Gerrell said a state-wide audit will be performed in March “and I’m expecting some findings because we don’t have consistency in a department that big. We could have a top-notch program if we had a leader in that area.”
Not having a department head is “putting a strain on our teachers”, she said. The cost could come out of the food service budget, not general purpose. “I don’t really want to let it go until we’re way behind,” she said.
A department head would keep track of federal and state nutrition guidelines, as well as funding sources for food service. “I think we could serve more students because of quality and presentation,” she said.
With approval by the board, a search for qualified candidates will begin, she said.
In other business:
–Supervisor of Instruction Joey Brush reported on the certificate of compliance for textbooks, noting, “we’re well within compliance” and on LEA (local education agency) compliance and areas of importance, such as absenteeism.
–The board proposed amendment to the school make-up day policy. Under the proposal, the first three days will not be made up and the board reserves the right to make ‘middle of the year’ adjustments in the case of extreme weather conditions that may include altering spring break, etc.
Bill Jelks said, “My opinion is we should have school every day. We need to think about the whole student. There’s no doubt that for many students, the meal they get at school is the best one they’ll have. I just think we should have school every day. Teachers want to do extra things for the students and if we don’t have school they don’t have that chance.”
The board will vote on it at the November meeting. Gerrell will present a couple of calendar options for the board to review.
Photo: Board members listen to reports at Tuesday’s meeting. (Shannon McFarlin photo).
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