A Profit Motive - Brief Article

School Administrator, Feb, 1997

After running up deficits of up to $15,000 a year in its food service operation, the Elwood Public Schools threw down an appealing challenge to cafeteria workers: Help the new food service director turn around the program and we'll plow some of the profits back to you in the form of pay increases and merit bonuses.

The financial incentive predictably sparked new efficiencies in the program's operation and successful efforts to boost the number of student diners. As a result, the 20 part-time food servers, two full-time cooks, and the director last year shared about $13,000--a third of the program s profit--in base pay increases and bonuses of up to $350. It marked the third straight year of profits.

The remaining profits help to reduce the accrued food program deficit. The district operates cafeterias at all four of its schools.