As a superintendent of schools, I feel building relationships with students is essential, especially in a small district. This can be done by being visible in the hallways, lunchroom, classrooms and attending student activities. I believe students need to see the face of the person running the school as someone who cares and wants what is best for everyone. As part of this I would form a student advisory team and maybe even have a monthly lunch with them just to discuss school culture and things they may see that us adults may not see in the building. Another thing I would do is send out student surveys to gather input, as sometimes the students with the quietest voices have great insight into what is happening in the school.
I personally believe non-certified staff members, including custodians, school lunch staff, paras, and secretaries, are the backbone of what makes a school run. They keep the facilities clean, handle a ton of parent and school communication, and directly help students on a daily basis. These employees interact with students in a different way than administrators and teachers, so their views and input are valuable because they provide a different perspective. It is extremely important to show these employees that they are valued members of the school team and to be approachable so they feel comfortable coming to you with concerns or even just to talk.
If students came to me with concerns about school meals, the first step would be to hear them out and find out exactly what they are not enjoying. I would want to know if the concern is about specific meals or the meals overall. I would then explain to the students that there are specific federal guidelines that the school must follow when creating menus. I do think student input and collaboration through surveys, along with communication with the kitchen staff, could lead to positive outcomes where most of the student body enjoys the lunches being provided on a daily basis. I would want the students to feel heard, but at the same time, if the kitchen staff is doing a great job and following the required guidelines, I would not want them to feel as though we are micromanaging them or changing what they are doing simply because of student complaints. The goal would be to find a balance where student concerns are considered while still respecting the expertise and work of the kitchen staff.