Jefferson High School remodeling cafeteria for first time in school’s history

The view of the the Jefferson High School cafeteria in Cedar Rapids through a hole in the wall created at a groundbreaking for a remodel of the cafeteria that took place earlier in the day. (Kaitlyn Bernauer/The Gazette)

Jefferson High School kicked off a remodeling project of the schools cafeteria Tuesday morning.

Most of the current cafeteria equipment is original to the building and about 20 years past its life span, school officials said. The remodeling project will involve replacing that equipment, remodeling the dining area, installing new technology, and improving the layout of the serving lines to get students through faster and more efficiently.

Students eat lunch near a hole in the wall of the cafeteria of Jefferson High School in Cedar Rapids. The hole was created at a groundbreaking earlier in the day, and is the future site of a cafe as part of a remodel of the entire cafeteria. The remodel includes new heating and ventilation equipment, windows, flooring, lighting, and ceilings. The project is being funded through the School Local Option Sales Tax, and is scheduled to be completed in August. (Kaitlyn Bernauer/The Gazette)

When were crunched for time in the school day and have to get 400 kids through in ten minutes, its very challenging, so [the new cafeteria] will be good for the school and the kids will be able to truly enjoy their meal, said Suzy Ketelsen, Manager of the Food & Nutrition Department.

The cafeteria remodeling project will cost $1.5 million and is being paid for with funds from the School Local Option Sales Tax, or SILO.

Work is scheduled to be completed by the time students return in August.

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Jefferson High School remodeling cafeteria for first time in school’s history