Overton Schools Searching For Cafeteria Staff For High School

The Overton County School System needs more cafeteria staff substitutes for Livingston Academy.

Food Services Director Debie Taylor said three employees are currently out, meaning four people feed the entire high school.

“Normally at the beginning of the school year, I usually have a whole page of people that want to sub and their phone numbers to call them,” Taylor said. “As of right now, I have no one.”

Taylor said the staff shortage has caused current employees to work extra hours to prepare meals. Taylor said the school might have to start planning less time consuming lunches, which could affect the number of hot meals provided.

“If you don’t have enough people to prepare certain meals, then that meal is just going to have to go on the back burner, and they’re going to have to prepare something that is easier,” Taylor said. “If you got this long term, that pretty much means sandwiches for a good while, and everybody gets tired of that. Everybody would like a nice hot meal and if you’re understaffed, then that’s not likely to happen.”

Taylor said the district is accepting applications for those that might be interested. Taylor said a cafeteria substitute prepares food, cook meals and serve students at lunch time.

“Call here at the central office 823-1287 and ask for Debie Taylor, or you can call the individuals schools, and they’ll be glad to put your name on the sub list,” Taylor said.