Portage Superintendent moving on; lunch price to go up
By John Robbins Post-Tribune correspondent June 25, 2012 9:18PM
Updated: June 25, 2012 10:11PM
PORTAGE — Portage Township School Superintendent Michael Berta received a round of applause and standing ovation from school board members, staff and audience at the end of the school board meeting Monday night to honor the end of his tenure as superintendent. Next month E. Ric Frattacia takes over as superintendent.
School lunches will increase a nickel for the next school year. Primary students will now pay $1.95 and secondary student lunches will increase to $2.20 under a USDA mandated increase. Jan Black, director of food services had previously discussed with the board that USDA and Department of Education recommended fifteen-cent increase for lunches but the board chose to adopt the nickel increase.
Black also described to the board an “untouchable money in trust” fund that the school administers on behalf of students that participate in the point of sales school lunch program. Throughout the school year student’s parent’s pay into an account that is used, similar to a debit account, to pay for their lunch. When a student graduates or leaves the school district, money is often left behind, to the tune of $7,209 to date. The money is untouchable to the school district. Parents must request a refund for reimbursement.
The board approved the purchase of five new 72-passenger busses and three busses with lifts. With a trade allowance, the total purchase price of the new busses is $688,594. Midwest Transit was the lowest bidder and received the purchase contract.
