Mascoma Valley School District 

Amanda Isabelle, Superintendent

Rt. 4
PO Box 789
Enfield, NH 03748

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday, May 21, 2019

Media Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: john@jgpr.net

Mascoma Valley Regional School District Provides Update on Dining Services Issue

ENFIELD, N.H. — Superintendent Amanda Isabelle and the Mascoma Valley Regional School District wish to provide an update to the community regarding the widely-reported dining services issue that has been occurring and remains ongoing in the district.

Last week, Superintendent Isabelle met with officials from Cafe Services, SAU 62’s dining vendor for more than 25 years, regarding the termination of a part-time cafeteria worker who was employed by Cafe Services at Mascoma Valley Regional High School. After that meeting, Cafe Services agreed to review its training, supervision and disciplinary procedures. The company also agreed to extend an offer of re-employment to the former employee, with back pay for time lost.

However, in light of information recently brought forward by a parent, the school district is rescinding its demand that the employee be rehired.

The district has commissioned an independent administrative review of all facts and circumstances surrounding this incident, with a report to be furnished to the superintendent, provided to the school board and ultimately released to the public.

“We have been overwhelmed by a crush of national and international media interest in this incident, but I do not believe we have yet seen a full and complete retelling of the facts,” Superintendent Isabelle said. “Therefore, we will compile a thorough report on this investigation, and we will make the findings of the independent investigator public. The public, especially our 1,200 families and the thousands of citizens of the communities we serve, deserve nothing less.”

So long as Cafe Services remains committed to re-evaluating and updating its policies, Superintendent Isabelle is confident that the company will be able to fulfill its contract with the SAU for 2019-2020 school year, providing fresh, nutritious food to its more than 1,200 students, including 360 who receive free lunch every day. The district will re-evaluate its food services contract next year, as it does every year.

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