Food For Thought A Good Thing At Kimball Public Schools

Kimball Public Schools Food Service Director Danessa Terrill praised local groups and community members for the generous donations to pay off previous lunch debts. The lunch debt fund received significant contributions from the Knights of Columbus, the Red Knights and the Masonic Lodge. Other donations came from an account that Terrill set up in honor of former employee Vicki Kaczar; they received $750 from that account, which paid for milk and seconds on food items for children. 

Terrill shared with the board on Monday evening, October 14, that all student meals this year are served free of charge, including breakfast and lunch, Monday through Thursday. The Community Eligibility Provision program allows schools with high numbers of low-income students to be reimbursed. Terrill said there is no stigma attached to the free meals now because everyone is included. She indicated that about 10% more kids are eating lunch; at the Jr/Sr High a grab-and-go lunch is provided.

The Beef to School program was also a success. Seven beef were donated last year, and one more was donated this fall helping to curb the costs of the lunch program with local beef.

Under action items, the board approved a new $17,725 lawn care and weed control contract with McManigal Lawn and Landscape LLC. The district is focusing on ridding the irrigated areas of crabgrass and windmill grass, and thickening the grass on the football fields. Three bids were received. McManigal’s bid was a one-year contract bid.

Several bills were brought to the attention of the board during the discussion of the approval of bills. The cost of a repeater from Action Communications was split between the Kimball County Road Department and the school, the repeater is necessary in an emergency. The schools’ share for the repeater was $5,906. Other bills and improvements were highlighted by Superintendent Trevor Anderson. Repairs and replacement of toilets were needed in bathrooms as they began leaking on the newly replaced flooring.

The board had a lengthy discussion on their recent energy-efficient updates. They had hoped to see a cost saving due to the new LED lighting and other improvements made over the last few years, but a 10% increase in electrical costs from the city raised concerns about the monthly bills. After conversations with the city, electrical meters will be calibrated, and the district could go into budget billing in December. The city bill for the school was $16,150. Superintendent Trevor Anderson did mention that the district did not have air conditioning before the improvements, thus having a financial impact on the monthly billing.

Anderson’s financial update report stated that 7.60% of the budget had been spent, with 8% of the fiscal year completed. The actual year-to-date expenditures are $821,412.69. Anderson said that the general fund reflects a decreased in revenue compared to last year but that is attributed to tax collections.

Both principals reported to the board that enrollment is steady, with just a slight increase. The parent-teacher conference will be next week, and homecoming is this week.

Principal Danielle Reader said she is pleased with the results of the no-cell phone policy. The classrooms are free from distraction, and students are talking and participating more in activities.

The next school board meeting will be Monday, November 11, at 6:30 p.m. in the Kimball County Transit Service meeting room.