Tonkawa Public Schools Board of Education has called for a bond issue to be decided on Tuesday, August 23. The passage of the bond WILL NOT RESULT IN A TAX INCREASE! If the vote is favorable, the district will construct a new centrally located cafeteria. The new construction will replace the more than 50-yearold building located on the mid-hi/high school campus.Currently, all meals are prepared at the only kitchen on the TPS campus. Each day, employees transport 250 breakfast meals and 475 lunches to the elementary site. This takes plenty of “man power” and extra preparation to feed the youngest students. The seating area for meals at TES is limited to approximately 80 students. More space is available when seating additional students on the gymnasium floor. Students are eating on the same level simultaneously while the physical education class is in session. In order to feed lunch to all TES students, meal times are scheduled between 10:45 and 12:45. The task of keeping the food hot and fresh for two hours is difficult.While the elementary students are eating at their site, the mid-hi students are eating at the existing cafeteria. The current cafeteria is not large enough to seat all 195 6-8 students at one time, therefore two lunch periods are scheduled beginning at 11:50 a.m. and finishing at 12:30 p.m. The high school open campus status limits the number of high school students who eat there to around 60 students. High school lunchtime is 10:50 a.m.The site plan for the new cafeteria is designed to eliminate issues with the current situation. The centrally located cafeteria will be located northeast of the event center. It is within walking distance from both the elementary and secondary sites. The new structure will have one food preparation area and two serving lines. A retractable soundproof wall will separate the eating areas. Each dining hall will seat 220 students allowing for 440 to eat lunch simultaneously. Separate entries and exits as well as separate restrooms will ensure students remain with their age group.The current cafeteria will be repurposed to provide an increase in academic opportunities for Tonkawa Public School Students.Keep your eyes on The Tonkawa News for more facts on the August 23rd TPS Bond Election.
