The Beaufort County Board of Education’s personnel committee met Thursday afternoon for its scheduled monthly meeting.
Gwyn Roberson-McBride, head of food services for Beaufort County Schools, proposed joining an alliance with other school districts to save money on food and related supplies.
According to bylaws passed out during the meeting, the North Carolina Child Nutrition Procurement Alliance includes schools in Chowan, Hertfort, Bertie, Martin, Carteret, Craven, Jones, Lenoir, Pamlico, Nash, Vance, Franklin, Alexander, Stokes, Surry, Yadkin, Davie, Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Jackson, Macon and Swain counties.
“The average saving is about 10 percent to a school system this size, which is about $10,000,” Roberson-McBride said. “This savings could very well bring us out of the red that we’re in.”
Joining the alliance did not require the support or vote of the board, but BCS Don Phipps said he and Roberson-McBride hoped to have the board’s blessing before signing the contract.
Phipps supported joining the alliance because he said it would trim the budget without sacrificing the quality of the food served.
Board member Mac Hodges also voiced support.
“It sounds like a no-brainer to me,” he said.
The school system’s attorney reviewed the contract and said it was a great opportunity, said Patrick Abele, executive director of BCS’ auxiliary services.
The alliance runs for one fiscal year, from July 1 to June 30 of the succeeding year, according to the bylaws. The matter will be brought before the board at its scheduled meeting Feb. 19.