Pennsylvania district lays off 30 cafeteria workers

Thirty cafeteria workers within the Daniel Boone School District were laid off after the school board unanimously voted in favor of a new contract with Nutrition Group Inc. for food services during Monday night's meeting.

A majority of the cafeteria workers were in attendance, sporting matching shirts with a slogan, "Lunch is better local."

Nutrition Group, a company based in York, had agreed with the school board to hire most, if not all, the current cafeteria workers under new contracts for at least a year. Wages will stay the same, and in some instances possibly increase, while workers will retain similar benefits, the board said.

Depending on their current contract, several cafeteria workers could lose the sick days they have accumulated.

Additionally, the school board gave its final approval to the 2015-16 budget, which holds taxes steady but also eliminates several teaching positions.

Though there had been discussions on cutting 10 elementary school teaching positions, the number was eventually lowered to eight. A sixth-grade teaching position and a high school physical education position were also eliminated, but the school board was able to agree on retaining a science teacher position at Daniel Boone High School.

By keeping the science teacher position, the district's budget was raised to $35.19 million, which passed by a vote of 5-4.

The budget would level property taxes within the district at 28.96 mills, making the annual bill for a property assessed at $100,000 approximately $2,896.

Prior to the vote, members of the audience addressed the board. At times citing educational studies, parents argued that by eliminating teachers and increasing class sizes, the board was doing a major disservice to students who would benefit from more individual help.

"If you're getting less while paying the same, you're still raising taxes," said Austin Peterson, a Birdsboro resident.