In order to improve efficiency, the London City School District is currently investigating changes to its district service operations. As part of this process, the district recently published a request for proposal for the operation of the district’s food service program beginning for the 2021-2022 school year.
Between 2016 - 2018, London ran an average deficit of $68,544 per year in its food service operation. Beginning in 2018, the food service fund balance was exhausted, and LCS was forced to begin to make transfers from its general fund, monies that normally are used for teachers, instructional supplies, and district operations, to cover losses of its food service program. During the 2019-2020 school year, a seminal moment occurred when London transferred over $150,000 from its general fund to support its food service program. Essentially, in one year LCS transferred enough money to pay for 2 1/2 teaching salaries to cover losses in this one program.
The request for proposal is a way for the district to explore options to save costs. Once proposals are received, LCS will be able to ascertain whether working with outside organizations is beneficial. If working with an outside vendor was deemed to be beneficial, London would work with its classified association to determine next steps.