HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-10-16-SC-min (Policy Subcommittee) POLICY SUB COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES:
LEXINGTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS, MA
Minutes of the policy meeting for Oct 16th 2024
Meeting was called to order at 11.11 am
Participants - Eileen Jay, Deepika Sawhney, Lin Jensen (green teams representative), Kevin Sylvia
(Food Services Dept.) and Deb Harvey (Finance Dept.)joined in later for specific policies.
SINGLE USE PLASTIC BOTTLE SALE/RESALE BAN POLICY
The single use plastic bottle policy draft was read by both. There was discussion on whether this
should be included in the current EDE policy, be a sub bullet or be its own policy. This could be
decided by the MASC or whoever has the best knowledge of the naming conventions for the
policy handbook.
Lin Jensen and Kevin Sylvia joined the meeting.
Lin Jensen and Kevin discussed that the Food Services were almost there in terms of water
plastic bottle phase out, but there are other beverages that they are still in the process out.
They have moved to cans for the most part. For the elementary school children there are some
concerns with nurses worried about children hurting themselves with the cans—sticking their
tongues in them etc.
In elementary schools, as Milk and juice cartons are mandated by the government then those
are exempted from the policy.
Kevin—the water sales has taken an impact because kids are not buying as much water now
that the students. The brand they are selling is 'RAIN' water— resealable aluminum bottle.
As the mandates gets tighter then only Selzer and water can be sold in cans. Polar Ice is a
popular choice which would go away. A lot of other drinks such as Gatorade cannot be sold as
they have too much sugar. All town buildings will stop selling drinks in plastic bottles but the
grocery stores can still sell. Lemon Perfect and Polar Sparkling Ice are the two beverages that
are the most popular which are bought by the kids in plastic bottles in the middle and the high
school. Lin Jensen mentioned that they would work with Kevin to find alternatives. Even the soft
drinks are already half in plastic bottles and half in cans.
Kevin. —was concerned that the financial impact of the sale of the beverages. And was worried
that there needed to be a culture change in the town so that the children moved to a different
drink. Not just in schools.
They also just had an audit in the middle schools. They cannot sell flavored Selzer water in the
middle school.
Close relationship working with the Green team as well as doing the Food Share program in the
middle and high school, so that students can get a piece of food for the day from the extras that
students get but don't consume, like whole fruit etc. They work on the compost program with
the Green team.
Food services is a sustainable program and keeping the revenue and costs in balance and within
the program. But the vendors are not catching up. Therefore it's a little harder to find
alternatives.
Deepika — mentioned that the concerns are probably about teeth harm due to carbonic acid
that forms due to the dissolved carbon dioxide.
Lin Jensen provided some feedback on the words used to bring it more in line with the Select
Board's version and also to not prohibit a person from bringing a beverage from home in any
container that they chose. She also requested that both versions (Select Board and the SC ) on
the agenda so people can compare it.
MEAL MODIFICATION POLICY
Deb Harvey—So the version shared with us has been vetted by Karen Rufo and Kevin Sylvia.
The nurses were all on board and food service has given their feedback. A parent has raised the
issue about gluten free options for their child and had met with Kevin and his dietician at that
time.
Kevin—one of the findings on a state audit was that we did not have a meal modification in
place. Because of free lunch, they are looking at processes even more. Feedback was received
that they need modifications for kids who have allergies which are the documented top 9
(sesame, peanuts, diary, eggs, wheat soy, tree nuts shellfish, etc. —top 9). Gluten is not one of
the top 9. For example: Celiac disease.
For children there is the 5 meal component pattern - (fruit, veg, milk, grain, protein)
Outside the meal pattern where say a child has a gluten allergy, they can't do gluten free every
day for all kids because every kid does not need gluten free and it breaks the 5 meal
components that they must serve. Offering this student an alternative meal.
DESE gives about $4.57 per meal as the reimbursement but meal modifications may cost is $7.
Where possible Kevin tries to partner or work with vendors with someone who is selling
'nudges' which avoids all 9 allergens).
Kevin:To meet religious requirments the food service folks have begun doing halal and vegan. A
main entry and a veg entry. Try and give a choice that the children can eat. Which is a religious
choice. Working on the kosher especially during the holidays. There are a lot more of choices for
gluten free now. The food services buy a lot of gluten free bread, muffins etc. as choices for
students. They use a different cutting board and where possible give those choices. It's much
easier in the middle and high schools. For elementary schools it's a little harder so there are
figuring it out with the parent on how to manage options for the student. There are about 20
such requests in the school district.
A severe allergy or dysphasia may be presented. If a child needs 4 milks, then they can have it,
provided the need is documented with a doctor's note and the nurses are informed. They don't
have a certified gluten free kitchen. They can't do a blended food diet. Some types of food
requirement's are very specific based on medical needs. That type of individualized
customization cannot be done.
Deb Harvey on the two policies to be added—this is new material to be added to any existing
policies where it best fits. This is information coming from the USDA as a requirement to be
added.
There is a process for putting in a grievance and it is under the LPS website under the food
services tab on the district website. The audit caught that and it was corrected.
The audit happens every 3 years but post covid it happened after 6 years. So there were a lot of
changes.
The DESE person told the personnel that they cannot get an ala carte item, and the balance
went to the negative. They wanted the cashiers to inform the children that there was a negative
balance. However that is not LPS practice. The cashiers are trained to allow children especially
in elementary school to get a second helping if they are hungry and have a negative balance.
That is sorted out by the office with the parent through reminders etc. In June if it's not paid
then the district pays it—to close out books. We manage the 4.3M total expense but our district
has only about $8000 or so of uncollected bills at the end of the year. The seniors when they
leave donate what is left in their accounts so it's a wash. So these funds balance out. Parents get
emails if there is a negative balance and parents get to know.
The meeting was adjourned at 1.08 pm