FLORENCE, SC (WBTW) – The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division is investigating Florence School District One’s food service department.
According to SLED spokesperson Thom Berry, a school district superintendent made the request. Berry could not comment further on the investigation.
Board member John Galloway on Tuesday said the district will outsource its food services to a private vendor called Compass Group USA. This will not affect cafeteria workers’ employment status, he said.
Florence One decided earlier this month to accept offers from private companies to manage the district’s food services.
That didn’t stop some board members from trying to convince the rest of the board to stop the search. The board members opposed to the privatization say they’re worried about the effect of a contractor on current and future cafeteria workers.
“If that company folds and leaves two years down the road, what happens to those employees and their benefits,” asked board member Alexis Pipkins Sr.
Superintendent Dr. Richard O’Malley says workers won’t lose their jobs if Florence One hires a private vendor.
Board vice chair Trisha Caulder tried to reassure an over-capacity crowd at the last board meeting. “You are not going to be put out of your job unless you don’t do the job,” Caulder said. “That’s the thing. You perform, you should be ok.”
Dr. O’Malley also said food services may run more efficiently under private management.
Vendors had until May 24 to apply to manage Florence One’s food services.
Copyright 2019 Nexstar Broadcasting, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
