Altamont School Board RIFs Cooks While Looking at Contracting for Food Services

Altamont school board members Monday voted to RIF their school cooks as part of the process of considering contracting for food services.

Altamont Superintendent Steve Mayerhofer explained that Reductions in Force have to be made no less than 90 days before the end of the school year. He said bids for food services are yet to be issued and expects any action on whatever bids are received to not occur until the Board's June meeting. The Board would be obligated to retain the cooks had they not acted on the RIF question.

Mayerhofer reminded Board members, as he said he has the cooks, that Monday's vote does not mean a decision has been made on whether to contract for food services.

The Altamont board did hire three grade school teachers for the coming school year. They are Jordan Lucas, Marissa McDowell and Kasey Sanders.

Board members tabled action on registration fees for the upcoming school year, seeking more information on each fee and what it involves.

Mayerhofer also discussed with Board members the start of negotiations on new contracts with both teachers and non-certified staff members. The contracts with both groups end this year. The first meeting with the teaching staff representatives is set for April 8; the first negotiating session with non-certified staffers has yet been scheduled.