School board chooses nutrition provider

Aramark Education will take over as the food services management coordinator next year for the Carson City School District, trustees decided Tuesday evening during the school board meeting.

"I really think we went down the right path," said Mark Korinek, operations director who led the committee to select a vendor. "We made the right choice for our kids."

He said the company will provide good quality nutrition.

"They offer fresh fruits and vegetables daily," he said. "They have a nutrition calendar, so you can go online and plug in the menu for the day and find out all of the components of the meal."

Superintendent Richard Stokes has said a food contractor will save the district money that can then be used in the classroom. The district has budgeted up to $700,000 annually from the general fund to cover costs.

Mark Waterbury, a representative from Aramark, said the company provides a healthy eating curriculum for teachers and staff as well as a fresh fruits and vegetables cart daily.

He said students and staff will be surveyed after the first 45 days.

"We want to make sure we're not serving foods the kids don't want to eat," he said. "We want to make sure it's food they like that's good for them."

Although opponents have spoken out against the plan at past meetings, there were no protesters at Tuesday's meeting.

Also at the school board meeting:

• The board voted to seek a 10-year, rollover bond in the November election, which would set the tax rate at 43 cents. That lowers the rate from the current 47 cent rate. It would not raise taxes.

The bond would be used for maintenance and upgrades in buildings and technology.

It differs from traditional bonds in that rather than seek a specific dollar amount, the bond is over a distinct period of time at a set tax rate.

• Denise DiMarzo, administrative assistant at Empire Elementary School, was named Classified Employee of the Year for the Carson City School District. She received a $100 gift certificate along with a day off.