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A note to District Administrators...

If limited district funds are going to be used to purchase technology, then that technology must provide clear and tangible value to the district—technology for technology’s sake is meaningless and wasteful. Robust foodservice management software is important, but equally important is a sound operational foundation. In 2004, SL-Tech acquired the leading K-12 foodservice performance consulting group. As a result, SL-Tech offers a unique combination of enterprise solutions comprised of both technology and operations.

From a district administrative perspective, foodservice concerns extend beyond the cafeteria. Understanding technology and operations—and how the two fit together—is vital to providing outstanding management. District operations cannot operate in silos. From financial reporting to data integration, sharing information across departments is critical to making the right management decisions.

Issue Why Is This Relevant To Me? SL-Tech Solution
Bottom-Line Results A financially self-sufficient foodservice operation ensures that the district can spend more funds in the classroom. inTEAM Associates partners with districts to reduce costs and increase revenues through proven methods.

WebSMARTT provides the necessary information to make sound management decisions.

Nutritional Accountability  Parents, students, and government entities alike are concerned about what kids are eating. There is no reason why a foodservice program cannot serve healthy foods and also achieve its financial goals. inTEAM best practices include healthy meal options, nutritional analysis of menus, and education programs for students.

WebSMARTT software can be used to inform parents what students are eating at school.

Government Accountability Federal and state governments continue to increase oversight and accountability requirements for one of the last remaining entitlement programs. An increasing number of districts are not prepared for their Coordinated Review Efforts (CRE’s). inTEAM can provide a pre-CRE evaluation and action plan to ensure that the CRE is passed.

WebSMARTT software provides an appropriate audit trail to satisfy CRE reporting requirements.
Vending Vending operations are often managed outside of foodservice and provide critical revenue to schools. However, what goes into the vending machines is often at odds with the district’s nutritional goals. Deli Zone by VendSMARTT is a turnkey, out-of-the-box vending program that serves healthy reimbursable meals and allows students to pick which meal components they want. Revenue from the program (bolstered by federal reimbursements) can be shared with principles and student organization.
Systems Integration Decisions about managing the district cannot be made in silos. It is critically important that cross-departmental information roll up into meaningful reports. Schools Interoperability Framework (SIF) standards are built directly into WebSMARTT. This means that information can be shared between foodservice, student information, transportation, finance, or any other district system without manual intervention. Critical reports can be dynamically generated.
Payment Systems & Universal ID Cards Students and parents are savvy consumers, and the ability to use one ID card as a universal form of payment as well as for access throughout the school is important. myCard@School can be used to purchase meals, board buses, track attendance, and in any other place where a student needs to be identified.

The PAD can capture students’ information and provide access to their accounts anywhere on campus that a network connection is available.

The student’s account can be recharged at the myPAL Prepayment Kiosk or online at myLunchMoney.com. A single ID card with multiple uses ensures convenience, and more importantly, security.

 
   Relevant Resources

Balancing Risk, Results, and Control in K-12 Foodservice: Outsourcing vs. Self-Management. November 2005. Published by the Council of the Great City Schools, this paper takes a critical look at the costs and benefits of outsourcing versus maintaining a self-operated system.

Critical Considerations in the Implementation of a Healthy Vending Program in Schools. July 2005. Prepared for the School Nutrition Association’s 2005 Annual National Conference, this study examines a new method for vending healthy, attractive, reimbursable meals, while always keeping an eye on the financial bottom line.