A new vendor, Food Service of America, Fargo, N.D., was the low bidder in all categories: carton milk, gallon milk and five-gallon dispenser milk. “Food Service of America is expanding and moving into Central Minnesota,” Superintendent Howard Caldwell informed the board.
After reviewing the bids, Pat Flanders, board member, felt now was the time to go back to bulk milk as it was almost $6,000 lower than carton milk. “We went to carton milk to save on waste and were told we could recycle the cartons, which we couldn’t,” he said. “Bulk milk has better quality and will eliminate a lot of daily garbage.”
Board chairman Larry Fleck asked, if we switch to dispenser milk, can we be ready in time for school to start?
Caldwell felt the district would be ready as the old milk dispensers are in storage but some dispensers require repairs.
Board member Maurice Dosdall suggested since the district was going to make the commitment to bulk, why not buy new dispensers instead of repairing the old ones.
The bread bids went to Pan-O-Gold Bakery, St. Cloud, with a bid of $12,785.
In other business:
•The board discussed parking problems which are occurring in front of the school when parents park in school bus zones. Parents are reminded not to park in front of the kindergarten rooms at noon when buses are picking up or dropping off students or from 2:45 to 3:10 p.m.
•The board was informed the hockey co-op turned down a request from New London-Spicer (NLS) and St. Cloud Cathedral to join the co-op at this late date. The deadline for joining the high school league was April 1. NLS had said in April they wouldn’t join the co-op this year but would wait. Cathedral had made a verbal request to join after the deadline.
The co-op was told the Minnesota High School League would accept more girl’s teams after the deadline but no other boy’s hockey teams.
•The board approved a proposal for $29,480 from Cable Distribution Systems for video wiring of all district buildings.
•The board approved a request for another football coach in the seventh and eighth grade program due to the large number of students out for the sport. Steve Brisendine, athletic director, said Brad Skoglund has agreed to take on the position. It was also suggested the football participation fees be raised next year to help cover expenses. At present, football is the most expensive sport the district has.
•The board approved hiring Sarah Winter, as the new community education coordinator effective Sept. 1. She has a social work degree and completed her internship with the St. Cloud Community Education program. Six candidates were interviewed for the position.