MONROE - The spork just made the endangered species list in Monroe.
In an effort to practice what it teaches students, the district will begin using reusable plastic trays and reusable silverware instead of Stryofoam trays and plastic "sporks," the ubiquitous cross between a spoon and fork commonly found in school lunchrooms.
It will cost the district about $4,700 to purchase 25 dozen forks and 700 plastic six-compartment trays, as well as four magnetic flatware retrievers, according to a proposal provided by Eric Ekum, the recently-hired food service manager. The flatware retrievers are designed to prevent silverware from accidently being thrown out. The school board agreed to the plan Monday.
While there will be additional labor involved in rinsing and sanitizing reusable trays and silverware, Ekum said the move will significantly reduce the amount of waste the lunch program creates. Currently, the district is sending 297,192 sporks and Styrofoam trays to the landfill each school year.
And ultimately, the move will have little financial impact on the district. Ekum's proposal showed the annual cost of sporks and disposable trays add up to $10,189. The additional labor involved in reusable silverware and trays is estimated at $10,182.
In addition, it teaches children the importance of going "green," he said.
School board member Bob Erb agreed young people are aware of being environmentally responsible. "The kids talk about it," he said.
In fact, the idea of getting rid of disposables in the lunchroom has been suggested by students before. The impetus behind the district looking into the plan was a "colorful" memo from Northside students requesting the cafeteria become more green, said Business Manager Ron Olson.
In a related matter, the district will increase the price of milk for elementary students from 30 cents to 35 cents next year. Milk for middle and high school students is currently 35 cents and will remain at that price. The only other change in food service fees will be an increase in lunch prices for kindergarten through second-graders from $1.60 to $1.75. Older elementary students already pay $1.75 for lunch. Middle school lunches will remain at $2 and high school at $2.25. Breakfast prices will remain at 90 cents for elementary students, $1.25 for middle school and $1.50 for high school. A special rate for senior citizens was eliminated. The adult price for breakfast is $1.75 and lunch is $3.
In an effort to practice what it teaches students, the district will begin using reusable plastic trays and reusable silverware instead of Stryofoam trays and plastic "sporks," the ubiquitous cross between a spoon and fork commonly found in school lunchrooms.
It will cost the district about $4,700 to purchase 25 dozen forks and 700 plastic six-compartment trays, as well as four magnetic flatware retrievers, according to a proposal provided by Eric Ekum, the recently-hired food service manager. The flatware retrievers are designed to prevent silverware from accidently being thrown out. The school board agreed to the plan Monday.
While there will be additional labor involved in rinsing and sanitizing reusable trays and silverware, Ekum said the move will significantly reduce the amount of waste the lunch program creates. Currently, the district is sending 297,192 sporks and Styrofoam trays to the landfill each school year.
And ultimately, the move will have little financial impact on the district. Ekum's proposal showed the annual cost of sporks and disposable trays add up to $10,189. The additional labor involved in reusable silverware and trays is estimated at $10,182.
In addition, it teaches children the importance of going "green," he said.
School board member Bob Erb agreed young people are aware of being environmentally responsible. "The kids talk about it," he said.
In fact, the idea of getting rid of disposables in the lunchroom has been suggested by students before. The impetus behind the district looking into the plan was a "colorful" memo from Northside students requesting the cafeteria become more green, said Business Manager Ron Olson.
In a related matter, the district will increase the price of milk for elementary students from 30 cents to 35 cents next year. Milk for middle and high school students is currently 35 cents and will remain at that price. The only other change in food service fees will be an increase in lunch prices for kindergarten through second-graders from $1.60 to $1.75. Older elementary students already pay $1.75 for lunch. Middle school lunches will remain at $2 and high school at $2.25. Breakfast prices will remain at 90 cents for elementary students, $1.25 for middle school and $1.50 for high school. A special rate for senior citizens was eliminated. The adult price for breakfast is $1.75 and lunch is $3.