UPDATE: San Angelo ISD Responds to Lake View Lunch Complaints

SAN ANGELO, TX — San Angelo ISD responded Friday to complaints from parents who reported that Lake View High School was running out of food for its students after moving to a closed campus during lunch this year.

The statement from SAISD reads:

"On Thursday, August 21, at the end of B Lunch, the preparation of the chicken for the chicken and waffles entree was delayed, leaving just a few minutes for students to eat before the end of the lunch period. Some students waited to receive the chicken once it was finished cooking, while a number of students chose not to wait. At no time did Child Nutrition Services run out of food. We recognize that meals must be ready and on the serving line and understand the frustration this caused for students. This issue was immediately addressed, kitchen staff were retrained on preparation schedules, and oversight measures are in place. Steps have been taken to ensure meals are ready on time so that all students are able to receive a nutritious meal during their scheduled lunch period.

"As with any new initiative, San Angelo ISD is closely monitoring the closed lunch at Lake View High School and will make adjustments as needed to reduce the amount of time spent in line. The cafeteria has the capacity for 520 students. In addition to the cafeteria, students have the option to eat on the outdoor patio or in designated areas such as the library. The campus inclement weather plan - which has been in place for numerous years - remains in effect and is communicated to students when necessary.

"The decision to close lunch at Lake View High School is based on the District’s ability to provide students with a nutritious meal in a safe setting. This change supports a districtwide goal of closing all campuses and recapturing instructional time previously lost during open campus lunches."

Across town, Central will also transition to a closed campus, but it hasn't yet because of the lack of a sufficient cafeteria. There are plans for Central to have a new cafeteria built.

Some parents reported on social media that the Lake View cafeteria was not meant to serve the increased number of students, so they were running out of food. Also reported were long lines in the cafeteria and crowded seating.

Lake View has a cafeteria that can hold 520 people and an outdoor patio area that can seat 281 people according to the San Angelo Fire Marshal. 

According to an email from SAISD communications director Shannon Schwartz, Lake View has 1,004 students and two lunch periods, “A Lunch” and “B Lunch." Lake View has broken the student body into approximately 500 students at each lunch period.

Central’s student enrollment number is much higher than Lake View with 2,617 students and a cafeteria that can only currently hold 378. The new cafeteria is expected to hold 1,000 as noted by Parkhill, the architectural firm working with the district.

At Lake View, reports have stated that some students at the back of the line did not get any food and others only got mashed potatoes. Also, reports said students were sitting and eating lunch in the hallways, on stairs, and in the library.

According to a screenshot from a parent with a student at Lake View, the parent emailed the school district asking for any information regarding how many lunches the cafeteria can produce, to which Schwartz replied that both schools are equipped with commercial kitchens, both have the equipment to produce the quantities needed for meal service, and both campuses monitor participations carefully and adjust production needs daily.