Macon Schools hiring food nutrition substitutes for cafeterias

With students in Macon County posed to return under Plan A next week, the Macon County School district is preparing to serve all students at one time for the first time since the Pandemic. 

The majority of students in Macon County have been having lunch in the classroom, or in outside picnic areas, meaning cafeteria staff provide meals to-go and have to get creative with meal options. While elementary students have been attending school at full capacity for most of the school year, next week will be the first time students 6-12 grade have all been in school buildings at the same time. 

While school administration is working out logistics to keep students and teachers safe, with social distancing guidelines and sanitation routines, the Macon County School nutrition department is also dealing with unique challenges around providing meals to students, while experiencing staffing shortages. 

We had two employees resign due to concerns they had for their health during the pandemic and two employees who are taking a leave of absence until they feel safe to return,” said David. Lightner, School Nutrition Director. “We are currently in the process of hiring new subs and employees to help with the potential influx of students eating in our cafeterias. As more students continue to return to face-to-face learning, we will monitor and adjust staffing levels as appropriate.”

The number of meals produced at each school varies across the district and prior to all students returning, cafeteria staff was providing meals with current staffing levels as follows:

Cartoogechay- 3 employees plus 1 sub, 420 meals/day

East Franklin Elementary- 5 employees, 490 meals/day

Franklin High/MEC- 4 employees, 200 meals/day

Highlands- 4 employees, 375 meals/day

Iotla Valley- 3 employees plus 1 sub, 410 meals/day

Macon Middle- 4 employees, 215 meals/day

Mountain View Intermediate- 6 employees, 510 meals/day

Nantahala- 2 employees, 135 meals/day

South Macon- 6 employees, 800 meals/day (provides meals for Union Academy) 

Macon Middle School, Mountain View Intermediate, and Franklin High/MEC will see their numbers double next week and will need the staff to accommodate the increase. 

Anyone interested in employment needs to contact the School Nutrition Department at the Board of Education Office at 828-524-4414 and complete an application.