Closed lunch coming to Parker sooner
JANESVILLE — Parker High School ninth-graders will be forbidden to leave campus for lunch starting Nov. 9, not in January as previously announced.
The Janesville School Board is scheduled to hear an update on closed-lunch policies at both the high schools when the board meets Tuesday.
The Nov. 9 date is noted on the board’s agenda, which was made public Friday.
Parker and Craig high schools have allowed students to leave campus for lunch since 1971. Freshmen were included in that policy when they were moved from middle school to high school in the late 1980s.
In the run-up to the 2006 high school expansion referendum, officials said they would close lunch to underclassmen once the project—which included larger cafeterias—was completed.
The project was completed this summer, and Craig High School started keeping its freshmen on campus when school opened.
Craig’s plan is to extend the closure to sophomores in September 2010.
Parker Principal Steve Schroeder had planned to study the idea before deciding when to close lunch, saying he might not do it until September 2010.
But Superintendent Karen Schulte said Sept. 8 that Schroeder had been told to close lunch to freshmen starting with second semester.
Now, apparently, a decision has been made to start even earlier.
Schulte did not immediately return a phone call Friday.
On the Agenda
The Janesville School Board meets at 6 p.m. Tuesday at the Educational Services Center, 527 S. Franklin St. The agenda includes:
-- A closed meeting at 5:30 p.m. to discuss negotiations on a teachers contract.
-- Approval for publication of a 2009-10 budget.
-- Reports on computer-system improvements made over the summer and 2009 summer school.
related STORIES
Sep 22, 2009 at 12:33 a.m.
Suggest removal
To the gentleman who said that off campus lunch should be closed to all, think about area businesses. Italian House, Dairy Queen, Taco Bell, and other businesses greatly enjoyed by these kids would take a major hit if they did not have the high school lunch rush to take in money. Think of how the schools would have to handle the extra costs needed to staff and manage a larger lunch crowd at the schools. That money should be used for keeping the Arts and after school activities in the schools. I have been out of high school for several years, but I fully remember how much of a needed breath of fresh air meant to me with off campus lunches. I agree with the person who wrote that they would not want to eat hot lunches at the schools and the A la carte lines were horrendous even when I was in school. No matter where you go, you can't get good quality lunches and provide them in a short period of time and still provide for the masses, and A la carte is good if you are short on cash and don't have much of an appetite, but it's mostly cookies, chips, and juice bottles, not a meal. I don't have a problem with 9th graders being restricted, but sophomores and upperclassmen do contribute to the economy with their lunch rushes, and it would be better all around to grant them that break and freedom.
Sep 21, 2009 at 10:41 a.m.
Suggest removal
The campus should be closed to all. I’m tired of them racing down the streets throwing their trash and yelling obscenities at anyone doing yard work. My wife did call Craig complaining about kids racing down the street and yelling “show me your &%$#” to her while she was doing yard work. We did find out if you give them a license plate number that the owner won’t be having off campus lunch for some time.
Sep 21, 2009 at 8:22 a.m.
Suggest removal
I think that the tax payers paid for the new cafeterias at the high schools that ALL students should be eating in the cafeterias. This would eliminate the racing to the fast food places.
Sep 20, 2009 at 7:31 p.m.
Suggest removal
The whole city is to blame?
Sep 19, 2009 at 6:34 p.m.
Suggest removal
Eventhough campus should be closed this is again micromanaging on the part of Janesville.
Before you post a comment, consider this:
Note: GazetteXtra.com does not condone or review every comment. Read more in our User Policy AgreementPost Comment
Commenting requires registration.