The Fountain Hills Unified School District Governing Board met on May 16 to discuss the hiring of an interim director of instructional support and the need to raise the cost of school lunches.

After approving the pervious meeting’s minutes the Board discussed the district’s contract with Sodexo, the company which provides food to the Fountain Hills schools, and the companies need for the district to raise lunch prices to meet the federal reimbursement rate of $3.22.

Currently lunches at FHUSD cost $2.85 at McDowell Mountain and $3 at the middle school and high school. The price would increase each year by 10 cents until it reaches the federal reimbursement rate. Breakfast will not be effected.

The board also voted on the name of a position the board is planning to hire for. The role is director of instructional support, who would assist Dr. Allen in his role as the 2018-19 FHUSD superintendent.

The person in the role would handle such responsibilities as the overseeing of FHUSD grants, coordinate Valleywide curriculum partnerships and serve as a liaison with Fort McDowell Academic Support Program.

School Board Vice President Jill Reed made sure that position included “interim” in the title, as the position will only last a year alongside Dr. Allen’s contract for superintendent.

The school board also approved a new calendar for the rest of the school year. Because of missed school time at the end of April, the district had to adjust its calendar to reach the required number of school hours.

There will be no more early release Wednesdays, five minutes will be added to the first four periods at FHHS, May 24 went from a half day to a full day and Friday, May 25, will be the last half day of the school year.

Along with the above items the school board also approved the new McDowell Mountain Elementary school Language Arts textbook.

The May 16 meeting also served as Superintendent Patrick Sweeny’s last as superintendent during the school year. To celebrate, the board brought a special cake for Sweeny, baked by Wanda Laloggia.

The next school board meeting is June 13 at 6:30 p.m.