The School Cafeteria Debate

Ben S. vs. Sohum D.

Moderated by Jessica H.

Opening Statements

Jessica:  Last Monday, word spread that a company (which had previously been seen investigating the premises) has expressed interest in privatizing, or taking over management, of the school's food service system.  While generally this could mean food with a better nutrition quotient than the public program, the company has one stipulation about providing their services- any food sales carried out by non-company parties are to be expressly banned in any form.  This means that the StuCo snack store, PASF pizza sales, and other money-making efforts would not be allowed at all. As food sales are the primary source of club funds, this could mean that celebrated events such as the Renaissance Festival, the Rice trip, and the clubs themselves could become defunct.
  It has also been announced that next week, the school store and pizza sales will be banned, so the company can investigate whether or not privatization is a good idea. While many students have suggested a boycott, Mr. Argueta has claimed that this might work against us- if the results become skewed, then the statistics derived may not be taken into account when making a final decision.
  Whatever your position, the next few weeks may well determine the course the school takes.  If the cafeteria does become privatized, will the school district shoulder the financial burden of extracurricular activities? Are there any other money making efforts that can be implemented? While seemingly superficial, the effects of such a plan are complex and will touch many things that Science Academy students hold sacred.  People have different opinions and different viewpoints, and these are all to be respected. However, if the student body wants change, we must protest peacefully and maturely.  Whatever we do, our concerns  cannot be dismissed as an act of 'teenage rebellion'.
    With that said, let the debate begin.  I hope that everyone will walk away with more facts and a more informed perspective on this vital issue.

Ben:  For this debate I have taken the side of the company. I believe that the company will serve better, more nutritious food, which is better for the student body.

Sohum: Recently the school has announced plans to shut down the school store. As a result, I have taken the side of the students to voice their concerns. I believe that the current system in place is fine adn that it does a better job than a contracted company can do.

Questions

Jessica:   Why do you believe the food served will be more nutritious? And why do you believe that public schools have the right to legislate what we eat? A concern about time constraints (waiting in lines) is also an issue that should be addressed. "Buffalo Wings are forever" does not inspire hope in my heart that there will be a salad bar and a frozen yogurt stand.

Ben:  Currently many students have "lunch" of a Snickers Bar and a Coke. This is not nutritious at all. The new proposed food, will not only taste good, but be nutritious, especially in comparison to some of the current food
The school is not deciding what students eat anymore than they are now. Currently students have choices, like they will under "my plan."
Since there will be a snack bar in addition to the hot lunch, there will be no more lines than there are now.
As you have noticed, currently the cafeteria snack bar is selling more than buffalo wings including cups of fruit. This is just a small sampling of what will eventually be served
The school will have better more nutritious food, with more choices
 

Sohum:  Who is to say that the snack bar's food will be any more nutrition than what is already offered at the student snack bar? Sure cups of fruit maybe healthy, but our store offers a line of comparable products such as the granola bars. Furthermore, the school store's selection of snacks can adapt easier than the cafeteria store to sell more healthful snacks, because the school store is not controlled by the reigns of a corporation who knows little about the food situation at our school.  More importantly, the school store reduces the already burgeoning lines to allow more people to eat lunch during lunch.

Jessica:   If the cafeteria is privatized, what suggestions do you have for the clubs and the district to compensate for the inevitable budget cut?

Sohum: The clubs affected by this virtual massacre of our rights have few options other than to limit the activities the clubs are involved in. The administration would have to provide the necessary income to support these clubs, however this solution will only sustain the clubs by a thread. The district will find it more expensive to manage these clubs and thus restrict the creation of new clubs, as they are more expensive to maintain.

Ben:  I believe that the district should more evenly spread out the funds, and clubs should simply cut back on spending.  PASF does not need a charter bus to go to San Antonio.  Students have complained about not having good food.  Now is their chance to get the good food they want.  There are also other ways for fundraising, such as selling t-shirts.  Look at the number of people with a "Got Wood?" t-shirt.  I am sure PASF could come up with something to sale.  The Astronomy club has found its knack, and it is filling it.  That is what the other clubs must do.

Jessica:   What, in your opinion, will the ultimate outcome be of a student boycott? How can a boycott be organized most effectively? How can the average student participate?

Sohum: In the best case scenario, a student boycott should effectively send a message to the company contracted out to provide food for the cafeteria that the current system in place is not worth tinkering with. In order to do so, a student must actively participate with the student body as a whole and not offer patronage to the cafeteria store. It is not much to ask of an average student to do so.

Ben:  The boycott will just make the company and administration mad.  As Argueta said, they will simply not count our data.  The best bet for students is to eat what they normally eat.  This will give proper data.  If students do boycott, their data might not be counted. 

Jessica:   A comment has been made that "The Renaissance festival lasts for one day, but buffalo wings are forever." What is your response to that?

Ben: Although this is true, it is sending the wrong message.  A new food service will not destroy all of the school's plans and traditions.  There are ways to adapt these current traditions.  The Renaissance festival will live, even if it has to be toned down.  The senior class might have to find a new way to fund it, but they will be able to do this. (After all, we are Science Academy Students)  Whether this be selling shirts, or having companies sponsor it, there will be a way.

 Sohum: Most students do not realize the tremendous work and effort that goes behind every Renaissance festival. To many of us, its just a day of fun and games, a day to goof off. But behind this masquerade of festivites lies a true educational experience. The Renaissance festival does not only enhance a students grasp of English literature at the time of the Bard, but prepares the students for the AP exams which award college credit for successful scores. So my question is directed to those who would value a year's supply of 'buffalo wings' over serious college credit, where do you priorities lie?

Jessica:   The 'nutrition' argument is often backed up with the citation of rising obesity statistics (especially in the state of Texas). Does this apply to our school? Should high school students be responsible for their own nutrition?

Ben: Of course high school students should be responsible for their own nutrition.  These students are the future of our country.  However, as many parents will say, "Just believe me on this one."  Many people do not know that what they eat now will affect them 30 years from now.  Our students are still students.  Once they leave to go to college, then they will be on their own.  At that time they can choose to eat anything they want, but there have been many studies proving that nutritious food helps students perform better.  If we want our students to do better on their tests, like the AP tests Sohum was mentioning, then eating better, more nutritious meals will raise their scores much more than a single day in Houston.

 Sohum:The 'nutrition' argument is often backed up with the citation of rising obesity statistics (especially in the state of Texas). Does this apply to our school? Should high school students be responsible for their own nutrition?
An opinion voiced by many representatives in student council says that, "Our school is not a fat school." While these comments are not objective nor can they be, the health and nutrition of a student is ultimately the decision of the student. Healthful food will not necessarily make someone more "healthy," nor will junk food necessarily make someone "unhealthy."

Jessica:  Some students have expressed the sentiment of "if there is a will, there is a way". Do you think clubs will be resourceful enough to find their own sources of income?

Ben: Of course clubs will be able to find their own source of income.  If we were in Donna , or Raymondville, then I would worry, but we are at Science Academy: a magnet school for the gifted.  If our students cannot solve a problem as simple as this, then they should return to their home high schools. 

 Sohum: "If there is a will, there is a way." It is obvious that the only viable solution left for us is to wait and boycott. For years, clubs have searched for new and ingenious ways to generate income, most of them unsuccessful. To many not involved with these clubs, many would respond with typical Darwinistic approach and reason that those clubs shouldn't survive because they were unable to support themeselves. The answer is that most clubs can support themselves on their own as long as their is an interest in it. The survival of a club should not depend on whether the club is succesful at raising money, but rather on the interest it garners.

Jessica:  How do you think that we can be treated like adults concerning this sensitive issue?

Ben: Notice that my opponent's side is staging debates, and many people have been threatening my fellow students.  This is very childish.  The students should decide, and have decided.  Students complained about bad food, and here is the good food staring you in the eye.  Take it!

Sohum: As teenagers, it is difficult for us to be taken seriously. Only through mature, calculated response can we even begin to be heard. This response is through the peaceful boycott.  All of our signs are legal since they have the magical "EA" in the corner, however the other side has torn down some of these signs.  And we wonder why teens aren't considered to be mature.  Through leadership and staying united we can accomplish much more, not through unintelligent spamming or verbal scorn.

Jessica: "Who is this private company, anyway? When did it become legal to take over state-funded schools and shove their rights down their throats?"

Sohum: As you may or may not have know, the services and goods provided to the students are normally contracted out to suppliers who specialize in certain areas, such as cafeteria food. These companies have lobbyists who have helped to petition and pass protective measures to sustain a profit for themselves.

Ben: This question is a bit biased, but this is not infringing on any rights.  Currently the school district has a company hired to prepare food.  The only difference between the current company and the new company is the contract.  If the district and students do not want this contract, then they should not hire this new company.

Jessica: What amount of money are we talking about here? What approx. percentage of clubs income?  Also, what benefits may be produced if the school store/pizza sales are shut down?

Sohum: The clubs generate a huge amount of income from the school store. Everyday the school store generates $80-$100 dollars a day. That's about $1000 dollars every two weeks, so this is a serious amount of money. From the administrative perspective, it is difficult for me to see how this does not work to their advantage. This much hard-cash coming into the school without having to tax the residents of the 3 counties. If anything the school stores helps to take off the burden of heavier tax, albeit small.

Ben: As Sohum has already answered the first to questions, I will concentrate on the 3rd.  The benefits are simple.  You get good food.  Everyone complains about the quality of food, and now you can get better food.  You also will get a better variety of food, and more nutritious food.

Jessica: Ideally, what do you see for the future of Sci Tech? Will privatization unite the school, or further divide it?

Ben: This will unite the school.  Currently we have StuCo competing with PASF competing with the Food Service.  We will now not have this competition.  The future of SciTech is clear.  No matter which way the district opts to go, the school will continue being a great school.

Sohum: To begin with, our school was not at odds with itself. Class were benign in their relationship with each other and their were few pressing issues that would divide a school. However, a recent turn of events has sent the school into a nose dive of bitter controversy. The future can hold the potential for disunity and bitter resentment for the cafeteria store. The relative freedom we enjoy at the Science Academy is being constricted by a corporation providing lunch food. How ridiculous is that?!

Closing Statements

Ben: The number one complaint from most high school students, second only to having homework, is the cafeteria food.  It would be logical that students would want to change this.  Now, when they are given the chance, they are standing behind petty arguments about clubs and money.  If the students want better food, then let them have it. I thank you for taking the time to expand your horizons, and listening to my arguments.

Sohum: Students, if you are content with the way current state of events, I ask you how will this affect the school? The end effect is nothing but negative, since not only do the clubs lose, but the district and the students lose. Are you willing to give up this righteous cause all for pre-processed buffalo wings that the school cafeteria will charge at tremendous mark up?

Jessica: Nothing ever goes smoothly. As the viewers of this debate can attest, this discussion was certainly no exception. However, I believe that the arguments of Ben and Sohum are both reasoned and eloquent; they stand as the true voices of class unity.

Note: After crashing the server several times, and trying several other mediums, we (Sohum, Jessica and myself) decided to write it on our own, and then post it up.  I am sorry that we were not able to have a live audience.  Thank you for those of you who did attend the open forum though, as many of the debate questions came from their.