Sonya Elder

I'm writing this straight after the Interview with Sonya Elder. It was a great interview actually; she was smart and really committed to the cafeteria. One could also tell that she really commanded the respect of her staff. When I showed up asking for her, I could tell that they were really proud and even in awe of her. I'm not sure who they though i was either: A mysterious stranger dressed in black jeans, a black collared shirt and a blue suit jacket asking to see their boss. (i was in formalish attire for my BetCo performance) After I explained that I was just a kid at the school, the staff seemed to relax and there was a lot of hand shaking. Anyway once I finally made my way to the back office the interview began.

I first explained to her that I was doing a public peaking project on the cafeteria lines and their length. I also explained that once I got to the actual timing of the lines, it was not that bad. She agreed saying that even when she visits during lunch, it seemed as though the lines were tremendously long, but as she got to timing realized it was not as bad as it look. (It was pretty cool that she went through the same process as me.)

The reasons she gave for changing the lines were 1. It was a mess inside the space with all the kids shoving and pushing to get in and out as fast as possible. (This year they serve between 600 and 700 lunches a day.) 2. Kids were stealing, she specified that obviously, they wish to give the kids the benefit of the doubt. However the old environment was almost conducive to theft. People left for a long time, unsupervised, with an item they wish to get as soon as possible.

Then I asked her about the projected growth of the student population and how that is going to affect these already staggering lines. She said that this years in coming class was actually 20 students smaller than last years. However in what is 5th grade right now, there is a massive influx of students. At it continues to grow. She said that staffing was a problem and as with all school programs there are budgetary issues. She said the spike is not coming for another couple of years, but they are looking into it.

The next topic we brushed upon was the later half of second lunch problem. Kids had constantly complained about the food running out or the end of the service. She has recognized the issue and collectively increased the staff work time by an hour altogether trying to cope with the problem.

She was really on top of every issue, but i did have a few more topics of discussion i wanted to cover. One of which being the payment system and the sole machine for adding money. Here she said they also have envelopes which kids can put cash or checks in whenever they want. Also adding that the hope is people will come all through the day and put money on so there is not a long line during lunch.

This lead to the question of this new unforgiving debt policy. Ok some kids abused the policy going 20 dollars negative, but this, you can't buy a lunch if it takes you 10 cents under, is ridiculous. It is also slowing down the lines. To this she responded with one of the most interesting comments of the day, "we are trying to the cafeteria line any other business." I have always views school as a public service, but the more i look around it begins to the shape of a business. College has always been about the money, but i expected more from public school (i thought it was a about feeding the kids). Anyway i see the point, it would not be tolerated at an actual restaurant, so why should the caf. do any different?

Then we got the killer point, which was probably the most effective conversation piece. I asked about the second door to the cafeteria. I don't know if anyone has noticed but there is a second grate on the left being the counter. I did not see it till i spent a block going through the cafe. seeing what, if any, restructuring they could do. If they open up this counter. It creates 3 lines a more efficient use of space in the pick up area, cutting both imposing lines and the time spent waiting in them. She said that this was something they were definitely looking into. In fact that was one thing they wanted to look at with the soon coming current 5th grade. It would also have to hire another cafeteria woman.

So all and all i would say this was an extremely successful interview. (not sure about the interview write up, sorry it was like my first ever.) Maybe next time should record it and then just put up the typed version? Then i can't really give my opinion though.

Anyway sorry about the really long post, but this all needed to be said.