Lunch lines run long at DeLand High School

DELAND, Fla. (WOFL FOX 35) - “This message is to inform you that we are experiencing long lines in the cafeteria.”

It was during the second week of school that parents of DeLand High School students were already receiving robocalls about lunch.

“But this is completely expected for the first few weeks of school  until all students can remember their lunch number and understand their menu choices,” said the recording.

But the real issue, parents say, is DeLand High School switched from serving lunch over two lunch periods to one 50-minutes period for all 2700 students in the school.

“The will be all the way back to the door,” said DeLand High School sophomore Michael Dieckmann.
Sophomore Michael Dieckmann showed FOX 35 a photo of the long lines.

Volusia County Schools say they made the change after students and teachers requested more time for tutoring, extra testing and club meetings.

“I’m empathetic to it but we have to look out for the kids. They’re going to class. They shouldn’t have to suck it down in one bite in under a second or a minute,” said Dieckmann’s mother Stephanie Haines.

A spokesperson for Volusia County Schools says things have gotten better and that at the end of last week, there were no longer any students who needed late passes to get from lunch to class. 

“Has it gotten any better?” FOX35 asked Dieckmann.  “Not really,” he answered. “Each student is given ample time to finish up and we write them a pass to class,” said the recording goes on to say. 

The district also says every student in line receives a lunch, and additional tables were added to the café and outdoor area. But parents say that’s not good enough.

“I”m sure it’ll get better because a lot of people are giving up. They’re bringing lunches, parents are picking them up,” said Haines.