NCSD sticks with Domino’s for concession pizza

Pizza toppings have long been the subject of intense debate — the question of whether or not pineapple belongs on pizza has fueled internet arguments for years.

On Monday night, members of the Newton Community School District Board of Education grappled with their own pizza quandary — which local business they’d award a contract to supply pizzas for district activities.

The bid process began after NCSD Athletics Director Scott Garvis was approached by a local pizza vendor earlier this spring. The vendor argued the school’s exclusive use of Domino’s Pizza at district sanctioned sporting events was unfair and asked Garvis why other local businesses didn’t have a chance to submit a bid for the contract.

NCSD Superintendent Bob Callaghan said the district decided to compromise and offer other local businesses a chance to bid and supply pizzas for school events.

“Gayle (Isaac) went to great effort to send out this proposal and ask every pizza producer to return it,” Callaghan said. “The people who brought the initial concern did not respond to the bid.”

Isaac, the district’s director of business services, presented a pizza bid proposal for board members to review Monday night. He sent out eight requests for proposals, only three local businesses, Domino’s Pizza, Pizza Ranch and Casey’s General Store submitted bids.

Both Domino’s Pizza and Pizza Ranch offered bids of $8 for a large single topping pizza, with Casey’s submitting a bid of $10 for a large single topping pie. Of the three companies who submitted bids, only Domino’s charged an additional delivery fee of $3.

While Domino’s Pizza isn’t under contract with the district, the business has enjoyed a long relationship with the school — something several board members were reluctant to jeopardize on Monday night. Board member Donna Cook initially proposed a motion to accept the low bid, but then she withdrew the motion.

“I understand the bid process, and I fully support that, but I have a huge appreciation for what Domino’s Pizza has done for us,” Cook said. “I’m disappointed they aren’t the low bid.”

Board member Robyn Friedman asked district administrators if the prices in the bid proposal included a tip for delivery drivers. While both Domino’s and Pizza Ranch submitted equal bids, Domino’s added an additional $3 charge for delivery, while Pizza Ranch offered free delivery as part of their bid.

“That’s my only concern about no delivery fee versus a delivery fee, what would the tip be,” Friedman said. “I understand that’s how the concession stand was operated, there was tip left for the driver in the past.”

Both Callaghan and Isaac were unclear on the procedures regarding tipping delivery drivers at the school’s concession stand, and Isaac became clearly frustrated with the questions board members were asking. Isaac told board members the only information he’d requested had been pricing for a single topping large pizza.

“All I asked for was a bid on the pizzas. They voluntarily said no delivery fee,” Isaac said.

Both board members and district administrators were unclear as to whether or not the district has a procedure concerning tips for delivery drivers, although Callaghan told board members he’d make inquiries and report back.

“He didn’t indicate that there was a tip. I wouldn’t be able to tell you,” Callaghan said. “I know my son has worked there and I know my wife has worked there, but I don’t know what procedures are in effect there because it’s run solely by the booster club.”

While Friedman said she wasn’t clear on the district’s policy on tipping she has worked at the concession stand in the past. During that time drivers did receive tips when they delivered the pizzas, but Friedman said she was uncertain about the specifics of the policy in place regarding tipping.

“I’m sure there is a clear procedure because it’s very organized when you work there,” Friedman said.

The concession stand is staffed and operated by the school’s booster club. Money raised from sales at the stand is used to support athletic events throughout the district. The pizzas are purchased by the booster club and resold by the slice during events. The booster club partners with the district, but district funds aren’t used to cover the purchase of pizzas.

Without district funding, board president Travis Padget said he doesn’t believe the district has any say in who receives the pizza contract. After more than 20 minutes of pizza bid discussion, Padget encouraged board members to table the motion and move forward with the meeting, a move the board agreed on unanimously.

“It’s not us spending our money, we’re not approving the use of district funds,” Padget said. “My recommendation is to have the booster club handle this.”

Contact David Dolmage at 641-792-3121 ext. 6532 or ddolmage@newtondailynews.com