Humboldt School Board approves new food service
The Humboldt Rotary Club hosted the Top 20 Humboldt Community High School students and their parents with a banquet on May 11. Pictured front row from left: Chloe Mayall, Adalyn Lawman, Allison Hoag, Kinzie Peyton, Brett Harklau, Ashlee Wergeland, Paige DeWinter, Grace Smith, Nora Carlson and Morgan Olson. Pictured back row from left: Jenna Wickre, Hannah Point, Grace Minor, Luke Sievers, Isaiah Kahl, Ryder Wickett, Jacob Pedersen, Jackson Fischer, Tabitha Kimball and Kaitlyn Thompson. See this and other photos for purchase at www.humboldtnews.com. Humboldt Independent photo.
By Phil Monson
A major change in the Humboldt school lunch program will take place this fall after action by the board of education in their monthly meeting Monday night, May 16.
The board approved a contract with Opaa Food Management, Inc, to lead the district’s food service program for the 2022-23 school year.
“We’ve been working the whole year on this. It’s a big project,” Humboldt School Superintendent Jim Murray said.
“After we pay for their services after the year, they project us coming in $103,451 to the good,” Murray said. “One of the rules is the food service director, the nutrition director, can’t be employed by the school.”
“It’s not going to cure our staff issue (shortage). This company services several school districts in Iowa, the nearest St. Edmond in Fort Dodge. But they have the expertise to help us get that food out,” Murray said.
“Even though it might take a little longer in the beginning, the kids will be thrilled with the menu changes,” Murray said.
He said a representative from Opaa will be at the June school board meeting to answer questions.
Read about this and other school news in this week's Humboldt Independent, including the special graduation section saluting the Humboldt Community School District class of 2022. Commencement is Sunday, May 22, at 2 p.m. in the school gymnasium.
