Summit Hill 161 Board Debates Ambitious Plan to Launch Hot Lunch Program in January

Frankfort School District 161 Meeting | November 19, 2025

Article Summary: The Summit Hill School District 161 board on Wednesday engaged in a lengthy discussion about launching a hot lunch program, starting with a three-day-a-week pilot at the junior high in January. While board members praised the vision presented by fellow member Adrian Chavez and food service provider Just a Dash, several expressed significant concerns about the ambitious timeline and urged a more cautious, measured approach.

Hot Lunch Program Key Points:

• A proposal was presented to begin serving hot meals at Summit Hill Junior High on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays starting the week of Martin Luther King Day in January 2026.

• Board member Adrian Chavez outlined a long-term vision that includes a fully utilized kitchen, student involvement in menu design, and creating a comprehensive “dining program” rather than a “distribution program.”

• Board members Ronnie Petrey and Melissa Ryan raised concerns about rushing the launch, citing recent teacher survey feedback that requested fewer mid-year changes.

• The board ultimately pulled the approval of a new “School Lunch Director” job description from its consent agenda to allow for further planning and discussion.

A detailed vision to overhaul the food service program in Summit Hill School District 161 was the centerpiece of discussion at the Board of Education meeting on Wednesday, November 19, 2025.

Board member Adrian Chavez, in collaboration with the district’s food service provider, Just a Dash, presented an ambitious plan to move away from the current cold-meal system, which he said results in significant food waste. The initial step would be a “soft launch” of hot meals at Summit Hill Junior High three days a week, beginning in January 2026.

“This is not just about serving hot lunches,” Chavez said. “This is about building a comprehensive dining program that strengthens our school culture and broadens our students’ educational experiences.”

Chavez’s long-term vision includes utilizing the junior high’s state-of-the-art kitchen to produce meals for all district schools, creating opportunities for students to help with menu design, and even starting a school garden.

Sheena Hawkins, owner of Just a Dash, explained that the program would be state-funded and should not be a direct cost to the district, as it would be supported by grants and the National School Lunch Program reimbursements. Her company would also take on staffing responsibilities.

While the board was enthusiastic about the concept, several members urged caution regarding the timeline. “We had a teacher survey go out and one of the biggest things that teacher surveys asked for is not too many changes,” said board Secretary Ronnie Petrey. “I just don’t think we should rush this at all.”

Board member Melissa Ryan echoed those concerns, suggesting a start date tied to the next school year to allow for more planning and to avoid overwhelming staff mid-year. She also questioned if a full cost analysis had been completed.

In response to the board’s feedback, a motion to approve a job description for a new School Lunch Director was pulled from the consent agenda. Superintendent Dr. Paul McDermott stated the administration would continue to gather information and develop a more detailed report to “package this all together.”