GOOD NEWS REAL NEWS HOMETOWN NEWS
SINCE 1889 Making Communities Better Through Print.™ VOL. CXXXV, NO. XXXVIII
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2025
pasoroblespress.com • $1.00 • WEEKLY
School district considers new head chef to revamp student meals Board discusses new position aimed at increasing fromscratch meals By CAMILLE DEVAUL camille@pasoroblespress.com
PA S O RO B LES — Students can look forward to getting some revamped and fresh meals after the Paso Robles Joint Unified School District (PRJUSD) Board of Trustees discussed a new head chef position. During the Tuesday, Feb. 25, PRJUSD meeting, staff presented the new position that is designed to increase from-scratch meals. This position will manage the kitchen, production schedule, inventory control, and work towards from-scratch breakfast and lunches. According to staff, this position will not impact the general fund as the Food Services Department operates from its own fund. The position is estimated to cost $63,993 to $76,243 from Fund 13 (Food Service Fund). The USDA allocated $23 million in Local Food for Schools (LFS) funding to the California Department of Education to support school meal programs facing supply chain challenges. This funding helps schools purchase more local and regional foods while boosting economic opportunities for small and disadvantaged farmers. Since the
pandemic, supply chain issues have disrupted school food programs, making it harder to source nutritious meals. The LFS program aims to strengthen local food systems, support underserved farmers, and expand partnerships between schools and food producers to ensure fresh, healthy meals for students while fostering a resilient and equitable food supply chain. The head chef position responsibilities include meal planning and oversight of the kitchen, allowing for more from-scratch cooking, ordering, and preparation for menu items, ensuring proper health and safety measures, food nutrition education and outreach, and farm-to-school initiatives. Since the new position was a discussion item only, trustees did not make any vote on the position. Other discussions included one for a new job description for a College and Career Readiness Teacher on Special Assignment (TOSA), and job descriptions for a Coordinator of Student Support & Services, and a Director of Data, Assessment and Plan Alignment. The College and Career Readiness TOSA supports teachers in implementing the district’s core instructional program, emphasizing high-quality Tier 1 instruction. They assist in developing,
(From left): Lt. Col. David Hartshorn, Rep. Jimmy Panetta District Aide Diane Zannotti, Kyle Smidt, Vince Hindley, Sergeant Major Mathew Adams, and Colonel Bryan Keels during the official Feb. 21 reopening of Camp Robert’s Victory Hall. Photo by Camille DeVaul/PRP
Historic Victory Hall reopens at Camp Roberts after extensive renovations Historic WWII-era theater celebrates its revival with a ribbon-cutting, live entertainment, and community tribute
historic buildings, Victory Hall, was officially reopened. The reopening was held on Friday, Feb. 21, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and NORTH COUNTY — After undergo- an afternoon filled with nostalgia, entertaining some extensive renovations, one of Camp ment, and community connection. The theater, originally built during World Roberts Garrison Training Center’s most By CAMILLE DEVAUL camille@pasoroblespress.com
War II, was the site of countless radio shows and live performances for troops, including appearances by legendary entertainers such as Jane Russell, Jack Benny, Bob Hope, Bing Crosby, Abbott and Costello, Edgar Bergen CONTINUED ON PAGE A2
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City Council approves $1 million toward Charles Paddock Zoo improvements Council also OKs Agreement for Consolidation to move Dial-a-Ride under SLO Regional Transit Authority umbrella By MIKE CHALDU
ATASCADERO — The Atascadero City Council moved forward with big plans for the city’s Charles Paddock Zoo during its regular meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 25. The council approved the reallocation of $1 million in budgeted Zoo Exhibit Refurbishment Agreement Zoo Exhibit Refurbishment Match funds to Zoo Animal Habitat Maintenance and Upgrades. The councilmembers also committed to funding up to $340,000 in additional staff costs for future.
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In her report, Terrie Banish, the city’s Director of Community Services and Promotions, said that for the zoo, the city is prioritizing two things. The first is renewal of its Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) accreditation. “AZA accreditation is the gold standard; we’ve been accredited for over 30 years,” Banish said. “We’ve been busy since April 2024 to keep it. We submitted our application in September, and we’re ready for the AZA hearing on March 26.” The second priority, Banish disclosed, is for the zoo to achieve financial sustainability in five years. Last year, according to Banish, it cost $1.5 million for the city to run the zoo, with revenues of approximately $750,000, leaving a $750,000 deficit. CONTINUED ON PAGE A2
EVENTS
Crews do roadwork at El Camino Real in Atascadero as part of the El Camino Real project. Photo by Camille DeVaul/PRP
The El Camino Real Downtown Safety and Parking Enhancements Project: Where are we in the process?
ATASCADERO — The El Camino Real Downtown Safety and Parking Enhancements Project (ECR Project) kicked
off in June of last summer, and since then, the improvements to downtown Atascadero have been steadily moving toward completion. The project will bring over 100 new parking spots, pedestrian-friendly streets, and a new look to El Camino Real. Originally slated for completion in late spring of this year, the project will now
be completed sometime this summer. “The current scheduled end of working days is Summer 2025,” said Deputy Director of Public Works, Principal Civil Engineer Ryan Hayes. “There are always minor delays due to unavoidable conflicts and rain days that will extend this timeline. The City continues to anticipate the
NORTH COUNTY NEWS
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The ECR Project is slated for completion this summer By CHRISTIANNA MARKS christianna@pasoroblespress.com
project will be complete before summer.” The bulk of the work impacting traffic will also be finished in the summer of 2025, which continues to include roadway excavation, concrete median work, and more. Hayes states that the rest of the work that will follow will have less impact CONTINUED ON PAGE A2
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WOMAN CHARGED MARCH Felony Animal Cruelty | A3 Cioppino and Vino | A5
FUNDRAISER Tour of Paso | B1
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Denisse DeLaCruz Lopez | B8
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