Program evaluations and contract extensions usually are straightforward, solemn occasions that don’t end in tears or applause.
But that wasn’t the case April 20, when Northwest R-1 School officials recognized Tori Christie, the district’s chef.
Christie works for Southwest Food Excellence Company (SFE), which has handled the district’s food service program for six years. Christie has been the chef for the district since 2021.
As part of her report about the district’s food services program, Jessica DiPaolo, Northwest’s director of administrative services praised Christie and the rest of her staff from SFE.
DiPaolo said Christie works tirelessly to serve the best food to the students and staff, even if it means catering student or staff events several days in a row.
As one example of her hard work, DiPaolo mentioned Christie’s recent Flavor Fest, where Tyson, Hormel and other food vendors brought new products for 150 students at Woodridge Middle School to try. The students and some staff scored each food sample, and SFE will use the information to decide what to add to the menu next school year.
DiPaolo told the board that Christie recently was named the St. Louis District Dairy Council’s Homegrown Hero.
To show Christie that she is considered an important part of the Lion family, DiPaolo presented her with a new chef coat featuring a large lion wearing a chef hat and bearing the name “Chef Tori.” The coat also featured an image of a rolling pin with a blue heart and the words, “Recipe: 2 parts chef, 1 part lion.”
“She’s made such a difference since she’s been the director, in just everything,” DiPaolo said. “She fits right in.”
Through tears, Christie said Northwest staff and students have treated her wonderfully.
“Thank you for making me feel at home,” she said.
Also during her report, DiPaolo said the district needs to make sure more parents fill out free and reduced meal applications.
In addition, she said the district will be raising student meal prices, adding that the prices have not increased in more than four years.
After discussing the services SFE provides, the school board approved the evaluation report and extended its contract with SFE.
Federal guidelines state that food service management company contracts must be renewed on a yearly basis and put out for bid every five years. The district issued a request for proposals from food service management companies in 2022 and awarded the five-year contract to SFE.
Monthly flat fees in the amended contract include $5,523.39 for administrative services and $2,560.01 for management, as well as the state-mandated meal equivalent factor for the next school year, which is $4.93.
Other board actions
Also at the April 20 meeting, the board approved a new contract with Durham for transportation (bus) services. Durham is the district’s current provider, and after reviewing bids from it and First Student, the school board decided to stick with Durham.
District officials projected spending $28,891,891.63 on the contracted transportation services (based on current routes and not including supplies and fuel) over the next five years.
The meeting began with the swearing-in of the board members elected on April 4, including Mary Thomasson, Retta “Susan” Tuggle and newcomer Michelle Coats.
The board reappointed Thomasson as school board president. Tuggle was named vice president, Gary Bonacker secretary and Chris Shelton treasurer. Terri Green was appointed MSBA delegate, and Coats was named the alternate.
Outgoing board member Sherri Talbott was thanked for her time on the board. She said serving on the board for 15 years was a pleasure, adding that nothing is more important than local control of school districts.
She encouraged staff, parents, students and recent graduates in the crowd to consider running for the school board or helping at school buildings.
“These are our schools,” she said. “They only work if we work with them.”