BY JEFF CHUDZINSKI
North Country This Week

PARISHVILLE — The Parishville Hopkinton Central School district has founded a Reimagining School Lunch board.

Officials announced four parents and four students will join two Board of Education representatives, the Wellness Committee Representative, Director of BOCES Food Service and Administration representative.

The board is tasked with overhauling school lunches, following a viral post by Parishville-Hopkinton parent Chris Vangellow.

Vangellow, who has four children in the district, first posted a picture of the measly school lunch his son Ash received on his Facebook page Jan. 12.

The post was quickly picked up by ABC News 50, Fox News, The New York Post, The Daily Mail UK and George Takei of Star Trek fame.

Following the viral post that received 437 comments and 351 shares, school officials seemingly attempted to rebut the post.

In a statement released on the district’s website Superintendent William Collins said, “In fairness to the cafeteria, students are allowed one more serving of fruits or vegetables and one additional nugget than appeared in the photograph; however, this doesn’t alter the message that many students and parents are dissatisfied with school lunches.”

Many comments on Facebook likened the offerings to prison food and called the meals a “joke”, stating their children come home from school hungry everyday.

Shortly thereafter, the first steps were made to establish the committee to oversee a reimagining of school lunches.

“A big "THANK YOU" to anyone who volunteered to be part of the group addressing concerns about school lunch. The group members listed below are a cross representation of those who expressed interest. We are finalizing the first meeting schedule and hope to begin work the first half of next week. The group will report on our progress,” Dr. Collins posted on the district’s website.

Parent representatives include Vangellow, along with Melissa Cutler, Anne Marie Snell and Cheryl Williams.

Student representatives include Vangellow’s son, Ash, as well as Kylee Bush, Mikayla Groody and Julian Wenzel.

Board of Education members Heather Liebfred and Jeff Yette will also participate, along with Wellness Committee representative Liz White, Director of BOCES Food Service Artie Frego and administrator Dr. Bill Collins.