(An earlier version of this story misspelled the name of Cummings Elementary principal Andrew Kronser. Keizertimes apologizes for these mistakes and appreciates when the community lets us know if there is an issue)
Cummings Elementary recently received a federal grant worth $1.3 million which will be used to renovate their kitchen this coming summer.
The grant comes as part of a focus by the Salem-Keizer district to update the school’s kitchen spaces for the last six years as part of a bond program to bring all kitchens up to a standard level so as to better serve nutritional options to students, according to district spokesperson, Aaron Harada.
The renovations will focus on updating the school’s kitchen space through adding a dishwasher and triple compartment sink per a Marion County Health Department inspection.
The renovations will also add an employee bathroom, add a food preparation area, replace the ovens, add a walk-in cooler as well as replace the current double-door freezer.
The needed improvements will come during the summertime starting in late June and ideally finishing by late August in order to prepare for the 280-330 students that utilize the lunch service daily.
According to Cummings Elementary principal Andrew Kronser, these renovations will provide the kitchen staff with better and more modern equipment.
“This remodel will also allow for the use of reusable trays and move away from paper products because we currently don’t have a dishwasher,” Kronser said.
Kronser noted that while no further renovations will occur at Cummings, McNary High School has similar cafeteria renovation plans as well.
Contact Keizertimes Staff:
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