DICKSON COUNTY, Tenn. — Dickson County School officials are exploring the cost and effectiveness of a private company managing the school district cafeterias after a board member requested the information.
County School Board member Kirk Vandivort has asked about the school system offering more diverse and healthier food choices in recent months. Other board members were also interested in looking at the information.
“As a board, we felt the need to look at ways to enhance and improve our food offerings for students,” Vandivort said in an email to The Herald. “This is part of an overall consideration, as the board and administration looks to improve all aspects of student learning.
“Additional benefits might be that more students participate in the cafeteria plan, alternative food choices for those students with allergies and to assist students with healthier food choices,” Vandivort added.
He noted that no decisions have been made at this time and before a vote would be taken, the matter of privatized cafeterias would be “brought before the board for discussion and consideration.”
After being requested to do so by the board, Schools Director Dr. Danny Weeks presented a sample request for proposal to the state to make sure the proper procedure is followed.
If an RFP was sent out and a food management company approved, Weeks said the business would likely oversee cafeteria operations such as staffing, equipping, maintaining, cleaning and operating.
School officials say Oak Ridge City Schools are Tennessee’s only school district using a cafeteria contractor.
Current staff opinion
Michelle Zirnis, director of school nutrition for Dickson County Schools, said the school district’s food quality is not taken lightly. She said local schools must adhere to what federal Department of Agriculture deems healthy.
“We serve the best products we can find that fall under the government guidelines,” Zirnis said. “We student test all products before they are served in the district.”
Zirnis said she tests 30 different varieties of chicken nuggets ever year.
“I assure you there is extensive research done on finding the best of the best,” Zirnis said. “It is our guidelines that keep our hands tied on what the average person would consider a ‘restaurant-style’ meal.
“If you happen to be a family that feels low fat, low calorie, low sugar, low sodium, trans-fat free, portion controlled, and only whole grain consumption is healthy, then our program caters to you,” she added.