CAPTION: From left: Board Members Gleysha Mendez-Rosario, Tad Dower, Cheryl Thompson, Darcie Canfield-Riggs, Valarie Gibson-Smith, Lance Patterson and President Laura Corey. CREDIT USD 308
By Kate Irelan
In their regular meeting on December 16, the Hutchinson School Board of Education weighed beverage contracts between Pepsi Bottling Group and Coca-Cola, presented by Justin Villmer, USD 308 finance director. Because Pepsi had a stronger sideline package, the board approved proceeding with a contract with Pepsi Bottling Group.
According to a letter from Villmer to the board, “The administration recommends approval of the Pepsi Bottling Group as the beverage provider for USD 308. USD 308, Hutchinson Community College (Hutch CC), and the City of Hutchinson have pooled the beverage sales together to leverage a much better deal for the entities. USD 308 will receive up-front cash support, annual cash support, sideline equipment for athletics, free product, and a 25% commission on vending machine sales.”
The previous agreement was made 8 years ago between Hutch CC, Gowans Stadium, and USD 308. Four vending machines are in the school district.
We have to follow USDA guidelines which restrict what you are able to sell in machines,” Villmer said. “We wanted to bring in some other entities. We bought in the City of Hutchinson in the request for proposal. Pepsi had a stronger sideline package which included cups, coolers, etc. for games and concessions.”
Villmer said that the annual commissions are historically about the same between the two beverage companies and he anticipates they will be between $1,000 to $1,500.
The board also approved the early graduation of a first-semester Junior with 21 credits in the Hutch Virtual Schools. Mr. Smalling, coordinator of the Hutch Virtual Schools, presented the special case to the board. He said, “This is a testament to the success of virtual schooling to be able to meet the unique demands of these students. He [the student] has a plan of what he’s going to do once he graduates.” Board President Laura Corey said, “We definitely don’t want to hold any student back from graduating.”
Superintendent Dr. Dawn Johnson gave some updates:
- Faris Elementary will participate in Laces and Locks for the 3rd year. Laces and Locks is a partnership with some local businesses for donations of shoes and haircuts for students.
- It is the time of year for Hutchinson High School’s square dancing.
- The application is in for the bond. She will get an email tomorrow about what time the Hearing committee will meet in Topeka. They are going to want to hear about the project, the mill rate, whether the board was unanimous, who will lead the effort, etc. to get an overview. The bond cap is 263 million, and the USD 308 project will use about 90 million of that project. State statute wants to evaluate who gets access to bond cap. The meeting will be on January 14 and 15.
The USD 308 board meets every second and fourth Monday of the month at 6:00 p.m. in the Administration Center, 1520 N. Plum. For more information and to view the agenda or minutes of the meetings, visit their website, https://www.usd308.com/page/boe
COUNCIL MATTOON / December 21, 2024
Is the contract with Pepsi designed to increase obesity, or diabetes?
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