Orange Trustees At It Again

* It appears the majority members of the Orange Unified School District’s Board of Education are concocting another scheme to frustrate and anger their constituents (“Orange Trustees Add Food to the Conservative Menu,” May 5).

Their newest scam is to dismantle the district’s highly profitable and award-winning food service program and retain a private management company. In this latest saga, the board ignored the recommendations of its own staff, as well as testimony of recognized experts who proved such a risky proposition is bad for the parents, children, and taxpayers of the OUSD.

Under federal regulations, if a private company mismanages the food service program, OUSD taxpayers, not the management firm, will be left holding the bag. Fiscal solvency must be restored through a shift of district tax funds once earmarked for students and educational programs. In addition, state law says that private contracting cannot jeopardize the employment status of district food service workers.

Then how can additional money be squeezed from privatization? It is logical to believe that additional revenue must be generated through inferior quality, limited food selections, and higher prices for parents.

As parents in the district, we are disappointed the board majority is wasting its energies and that of its administrators in pursuing this ill-advised venture. Let’s shelve this speculative plan now.

ALAN and ANGELINE

TRUDELL

Anaheim Hills

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* As a parent with three children attending district schools, I am truly mystified as to why this board would choose to use its time and our district’s resources to request and analyze bids for this service when our own in-house operation is doing so well already.

The undisputed facts are that our program is in the black, has received national recognition for quality and efficiency of operations, and is managed by a district employee who has been recognized for excellence and leadership on the state and national levels.

Additionally, the food service program is well-received by the people of OUSD. In a survey conducted in October 1995, parents registered zero complaints about the school nutrition program, and gave it 46 unprompted commendations.

Both logic and the people say leave this fine operation alone. Indeed, why not join with experts in the field across this state and nation, and with your constituents here in OUSD, and give our food service employees a well-deserved pat on the back?

KATHY MOFFAT

Co-Chair

Community Network for Education

Villa Park