Wake schools warn of 2nd day of cafeteria worker sickout as community helps with meals
The Wake County school system says students didn’t go hungry on Tuesday despite a sickout by school cafeteria workers at dozens of schools.
Late Monday evening, the Wake County school system alerted families at 32 schools that they should bring their own lunch on Tuesday because the system couldn’t guarantee meal service would be provided.
But on Tuesday morning, the district tweeted that it was able to provide meals to every student who wanted one.
“Despite the CNS staff shortages at our school today, we have secured food for every student who needs a meal,” Wake tweeted. “We are able to feed every child thanks to efforts by our district CNS staff, as well as other school employees who are assisting with meal distribution today.”
The school district provided bagged lunches to students, according to Lisa Luten, a school spokeswoman. Luten also said that parents and local businesses and restaurants also brought in food for students on Tuesday.
“Thanks also goes to the many parents and community members who have offered assistance,” Wake tweeted.
Sickout may continue Tuesday
By Tuesday night, Wake was warning families that 15 schools could be affected by staffing shortages on Wednesday.
“If possible, we strongly encourage your child to bring food to school tomorrow to help address an expected staffing shortage,” Wake said in its online update. “Food will be available and other school staff can help with distribution.
“We do not need food. However, students who bring their own food will reduce the challenge of being short-staffed.
Workers protest low pay, conditions
Some cafeteria workers called out sick to protest low pay and working conditions at a time when a 19% vacancy rate is forcing them to do more work than before. Two weeks ago, dozens of bus drivers also called out sick for a three-day protest that disrupted bus service for many students.
The school board is hoping that newly approved employee bonuses of $3,750 will help address concerns of employees, some of whom are only making the recently raised minimum salary of $13 per hour. The state pays the base salaries of employees, with districts supplementing the pay with local funds when they can.
Wake will need approval from the state Department of Public Instruction to use the federal COVID funds for bonuses. But that approval is expected.
School meals are the only source of food some low-income students get on a daily basis.
PTAs such as at Hunter Elementary School in Raleigh recruited volunteers to help with meals on Tuesday. Mark Nance was among the Hunter parents who went to grocery stores to buy food for students and then volunteered Tuesday to help serve the children.
“Why did we do it?” Nance said in an email. “The immediate reason was to feed students, so they could get the food they need to learn and feel secure at school.
“But the deeper reason we were there is because elected officials — from the school board to the county commission to the NC General assembly and Governor’s office — continue to fail to fund our schools adequately.”
What schools may be affected by cafeteria worker sickout?
The schools facing potential shortages on Wednesday, Nov. 16, are:
▪ Alston Ridge Middle
▪ Apex Middle
▪ Baileywick Elementary
▪ Banks Road Elementary
▪ Brier Creek Elementary
▪ Cary High
▪ Creech Road Elementary
▪ Davis Drive Middle
▪ Fuquay-Varina High
▪ Holly Springs High
▪ Ligon Middle
▪ North Garner Middle
▪ Oakview Elementary
▪ Underwood Elementary
▪ Willow Spring High
This story was originally published November 16, 2021 at 11:12 AM with the headline "Wake schools warn of 2nd day of cafeteria worker sickout as community helps with meals."
