CARRIERE —
On Monday, the Pearl River County school board, teachers, administrators and citizens got a look at two new cooking ovens that will revolutionize the way food is prepared for most students in the Pearl River County School District.
The board also named a new high school band director, Steven Kershaw, and canceled a 16th section land lease.
Company representatives of the oven manufacturer and the school food services staff put on a cooking demonstration an hour and half before the school board meeting got underway here at the cafeteria.
The two new ovens, each costing $16,000, were put through their paces in preparing chicken strips, biscuits and cheese and regular fries, without the use of cooking oils.
The ovens, known as Combi Ovens, eliminate the use of deep frying with oil and uses steam and a convection process (hot air) to cook the meals. The result is a a crispy meal with a lot less fat content that is healthier for students, according to Sheila Amacker, PRC food services director, who directed the demonstration.
Representatives of the company that manufactures the new ovens also were on hand for the demonstration.
There are four ovens, two at the high school and middle school at Carriere and two at the elementary schools in McNeill.
The ovens were purchased with a grant from the Bower Foundation, and in order to get the money, the school district had to promise not to use deep frying techniques for at least five years.
The ovens are computerized so that a food service worker just punches in the item to be cooked and the ovens automatically cook it.
Board members Jeremy Weir and Twila Crabtree were both absent during the meeting, but board president Jeff Jones, and board members Rodney Dyess and Michelle Boyd constituted a quorum for the short 30-minute session so the board could conduct business, and the meeting was held following the kitchen demonstration.
Supt. Alan Lumpkin gave his report, and in other matters the board:
— Agreed to advertise to sell two steamers, a range and slicer.
— Accepted the resignation of Ryan Merritt as a teacher-coach, effective June 30.
— Approved the following personnel appointments: Karen Varnado as special education teacher; Christy L. Boudreaux as kindergarten teacher; Katrina L. Meyer as assistant teacher; Heather Dillard as assistant teacher; Shelly Reed as a facilitator; Amanda Steward as financial secretary; Cathy Deakles as monitor; Pat Carter as bus driver; Daniel Colby Hawthorne for teacher-assistant football and head middle school baseball coach; Amy Leonard as teacher and girls fast pitch softball coach; Steven Kershaw high school band director; and Michelle Meitzler math teacher.
— Canceled a 16th section residential lease of Paul McCranie, Jr.
— Went into an executive session to discuss a student matter.
Local News
Related Photos
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SPACE AGE OVENS — From left, manager Myra Smith and PRC food service administrator Sheila Amacker stand in front of new ovens at the high school cafeteria. There are two others at McNeill. The ovens cook without deep frying food, making it more healthful. Food service personnel gave a cooking demonstration just before Monday’s school board meeting. The ovens cook with steam and by convection. (Photo by David A. Farrell)
PRC board views cooking demonstration
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