The New Rochelle School District racked up its 15th failed health inspection since Schools Superintendent Richard Organisciak and Assistant Superintendent John Quinn took charge of the district 3 years ago. The Journal News recently reported that New Rochelle cafeterias are the worst in Westchester with 10 failed health inspections in 2008 alone, most in the county.
Two weeks earlier, at a September 27th school board meeting, Organisciak told parents that all the cafeterias were fine. Talk of the Sound is still waiting for answers to questions about the abysmal record of health problems at the district’s cafeterias first asked of the board a month ago.
Once again the failure to maintain food at required temperatures was the source of most of the problems at Ward despite claims by Mr. Quinn that he had purchased thermometers for all cafeteria staff. New York State law requires that all cafeteria staff have thermometers but Mr. Quinn has so far failed to explain why some workers did not have them or why he waited for several years to address the problem despite failing health inspections as far back as 2006 for the same sorts of food temperature issues.
The report notes that pizza was served at 135 degrees F instead of the required 140 degrees F at the center which is necessary to kill pathogens like e. coli bacteria and tuna sandwiches were served at 60 degrees F not 45 degrees. Tuna is among the riskiest foods according to the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) causing thousands of illnesses a year due to methylmercury. Salmonella and Norovirus.
Read more: http://www.injuryboard.com/national-news/top-ten-riskiest-foods-leafy-greens-eggs-tuna.aspx?googleid=272204#ixzz0VjORusR6
Will a Child Die Because Quinn And Organisciak are Incompetent?
48 hours – that’s how long it took to rectify the “issues” in the school’s cafeterias . At least that’s what King Dolt Organsciak said . Wasn’t that weeks ago ? Quinn was going to buy thermometers for everyone and all was going to be well in the bacteria labs our children eat in . What is going on here ? Food service is pretty cut and dry in that everything is spelled out with rules and regulations , so why is it so hard to bring the lunch rooms into compliance with health department regs ? If they can’t manage this properly , then how in the world can they possibly handle the complexities of providing an education ? What happens when there is an outbreak of Salmonella , or E. Coli because Mr O and his hand puppet Quinn ABSOLUTELY REFUSE to acknowledge , let alone take charge of the problem ? Every year we hear of deaths due to these bacterias . Who wants to have their child be first ? Maybe as Quinn doesn’t see what’s going on , afterall he’s pretty busy going around turning out lights to save money . Let’s see , what would be worse , hospitalized children or leaving the lights on ? Apparently it’s a tough question for the folks in charge . Maybe we should invite “Foodsafe Freddie” from New Zealand for a visit to our schools . Suppose we educate all of the kids about food sfaety so they can keep an eye on the kitchen and the workers . Here’s a link to some ideas being used elsewhere. http://www.teachingonline.org/Sept’07pdfs/FoodSafe.pdf
There’s so much focus on getting rid of cookies and cupcakes in school yet it’s OK to feed kids bacteria , rodent droppings and insect parts . I’m still waiting for the press release picture of the school board having their surprise weekly lunch at the various schools . I wonder if Jeffrey Hastie’s kids eat at Ward ?
There’s a “be food safe ” campaign from the USDA . Richard , John , Jefferey , I know your reading this so here’s the link – http://www.befoodsafe.gov/ , maybe you can make this required reading for all.
Anyhow , let’s boycott the cafeterias Novemember 9th to the 13th and call the district @576-4300 and let them know why . Your children will thank you for it .