Independence school board continues revising meal policy

After further examination of state policy, the Independence school board further revised the district’s policy for delinquent accounts. 

The cut-off point for hot meals was set at negative-$25; at that point, students will be given only a cold breakfast and lunch. Cold lunch would consist of milk, a cheese sandwich, and fruit. The cost, roughly $1.50, would be charged to the district, rather than reimbursed by the state, due to nutrition requirements. 

“Otherwise we have to meet certain requirements,” said district administrator Paul Franzwa. “When we provide an alternate meal, that ends up costing more.” 

No implementation date was set, but Franzwa emphasized notifying families beforehand. Any accounts with balances currently at or below negative-$25 would then be provided with cold meals only.

The policy will be read again at the May meeting.

Independence board members also discussed possible uses of snow days for the 2023-2024 school year. Under the current schedule, Independence has 20 additional hours of instruction. Franzwa discussed the possibility of using those hours for delays or early dismissals instead of canceling a whole day of school. 

Franzwa also brought up discussions he had with other superintendents in the Trempealeau Valley Consortium. 

“(They said) a virtual day in January is better than a face-to-face day in June,” Franzwa said.

If the school was able to have fewer snow days, then they wouldn’t have to add as many at the end of the year, when students are less attentive. Board members also discussed the possibility of using virtual days to keep instruction hours at a reasonable level.

One possible concern with both virtual days and delays is getting out of sync with other consortium schools.  The board did not vote on the subject.

Board members also renewed existing sports co-ops with Gilmanton for baseball, softball and track in spring 2024.