Agenda Item
ii. Contract Renewal ~ (1 of 2 Renewal) ~ School Nutrition Temporary Staffing to ESS Temporary Staffing Services through TIPS RFP 230703 (Not to Exceed $1,500,000 for SY 26-27)
Summary: Presented By: Mr. Byron Schueneman, Chief Financial Officer, Division of Finance
Request: It is requested that the DeKalb County Board of Education (“the Board”) approve the contract renewal of ESS Temporary Staffing Services through TIPS RFP 230703, not to exceed the amount of $1,500,000 for SY 26-27. This request renews the contract award for an additional one (1) year term effective July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027.
Why: To ensure DeKalb County School District (DCSD) School Nutrition Services (SNS) provides healthy reimbursable meals to students that meet the Child Nutrition, USDA standards for meal pattern requirements.
Temporary staffing will provide qualified Food Service Assistants to ensure uninterrupted meal service, maintain regulatory compliance, and support safe and efficient kitchen operations across district schools. This strategic approach addresses ongoing staffing shortages, reduces operational strain on permanent employees, and offers the district flexibility for short-term, long-term, and same-day staffing needs. The initiative is projected to improve service reliability.
Details: The contract award of ESS Temporary Staffing Services through TIPS RFP 230703 was initially approved by the Board on January 12, 2026. The Initial Term is from February 23, 2026, through June 30, 2026, with two (2) one-year optional renewal periods through September 30, 2027, subject to Board approval on an annual basis.
Scope of Services: ESS will provide qualified temporary Food Service Assistants for assignments at any DCSD school site as needed per DCSD SNS.
The agency must guarantee that all personnel:
• Meet district background check requirements
• Complete required food safety training prior to placement
• Maintain appropriate certifications (e.g., Food Handler)
Staffing Requests and Response Time
• The district may request temporary staff for same-day, short-term, or long-term assignments.
• A designated account representative will be available on-site to support daily staffing needs.
Billing and Rate Structure
• Hourly Rates:
o Food Service Assistant: $18.91
• Rates include agency administrative costs, liability coverage, and workers’ compensation.
• The district will be billed only for actual hours worked.
• No minimum weekly hour guarantee is required.
Performance Expectations and Accountability
• SNS District managers may request replacement of temporary staff who do not meet performance standards.
• The agency will provide substitute personnel within 4 hours when replacements are necessary.
• Quarterly performance check-ins will be conducted to evaluate service quality.
Insurance and Liability
The agency will maintain:
• General liability insurance
• Worker’s compensation coverage
• Professional liability as applicable
The district will not assume employer responsibility for agency employees.
Financial impact: Funds will be paid from GL account 622-3100-530000-00062-8200-9990-8015-050-0000 in the amount not to exceed $1,500,000.
Contact: Mr. Byron Schueneman, Chief Financial Officer, Division of Finance, 678.676.0270
Ms. Condus Shuman, Director of School Nutrition Services, 678.676.1772
Effective: Upon Board Approval
Status: Approved by the Office of Legal Affairs
CHRONOLOGY OF THE AGENDA ITEM
Contract Renewal (1 of 2 Renewal)
School Nutrition Temporary Staffing
Scope: Contract Renewal - School Nutrition Temporary Staffing
through TIPS RFP 230703 to ESS Temporary Staffing Services for
SY26-27
Contract Term:
The contract award of ESS Temporary Staffing Services through TIPS RFP
230703 was initially approved by the Board on January 12, 2026. The Initial
Term is from February 23, 2026 through June 30, 2026, with two (2) one-
year optional renewal periods through September 30, 2027, subject to Board
approval on an annual basis.
This request is the first of two (1 of 2) renewal options.
Solicitation Process: through TIPS RFP 230703
Award Process:
On January 12, 2026, the Board awarded the contract to ESS Temporary
Staffing Services based on the recommendation.