Florence school board members met Thursday night to talk about a proposal for school food services.
Several people expressed their concerns on a change that might risk the jobs of cafeteria workers within district one and four.
“These employees will no longer have the benefit that we have in the district, that are currently present for many of our employees,” said board member, Alexis D. Pipkins, Sr.
On Thursday, many community members had concerns about a request to change food services in school.
“I respect and welcome the opportunity for change but the bottom line with this process did no engender in terms of whether the findings and issues as it relates to any issues with our food service department,” said Pipkins.
Under the proposal, private vendors would have different management in the district.
“I’ve served on this board almost 18 years and I’m not aware of any issues that we’ve had with our current operation of the food services department. I think the proposal is premature,” said Pipkins.
News13 spoke to cafeteria workers who didn’t want to go on camera said there’s too much at risk with this change.
“They go to work and they lift heavy pots. They get to work and they provide smiles to encourage our children. Many of these children are the first faces that our children see when they enter the school,” said Pipkins.
Others from the area who were in attendance Thursday believe schools need to include healthy foods for their children, and that workers should not be worries because they’re part of the proposal as well.
“It turns out that they’re going on a new direction changing management, having a different manager. Everybody that’s already an employee stays just like they are so that did not change and unfortunately the misinformation caused a lot of emotion,” said attendee Carrie Kahn.
After the committee does an evaluation, it will meet with board members to decide what step it may take next.
