Preventing the Stealing of Lunch at Murray High

Submitted by
Bailey, Makell; Eisert, Reagan; Francis, Easton;
Robinson, Kelsey; Rudarmel, Mikell
Salt Lake Community College
COMM 1010
December 20th, 2011
This page should be 12 point font as well

Executive Summary and Project description

Three weeks ago Mr. Saxton asked our class to start working on a group project to try and
solve a problem at MHS. The purpose of this group project was to teach us how to work in
groups effectively and to learn how to use Deweys problem solving process. Our group decided
that students stealing school lunch was the problem we were going to solve. This was the first
step in Deweys problem solving process, defining the problem.
We continued on to step two by analyzing the problem, at this stage, the group tries to
discover the causes and extent of the problem; by doing research (Adler & Elmhorst p. 249) at
this point we split up the work load between the group to investigate different aspects of the
problem, these were; Characteristics of the problem, the stakeholders and the history of the
problem, also the policies and politics related to the problem and the resources available to help
us solve this problem.
Step three was forming criteria for our solution that would define what a good solution
would accomplish. To start off we came up with a general goal, it was that our solution would
prevent students from stealing school lunch. After that we came up with seven criteria that our
solution would need to meet in order to solve our problem. Step four was brainstorming. While
we were brainstorming we didnt consider our criteria so that we could get as many ideas on the
floor as we could, once that was done we narrowed it down to six solutions we thought were the
best.
Step five was the evaluation of our proposed solutions. To make this step easier we drew
up a chart that would rate our solutions to each of our criteria on a scale of 1-5. This told us our
top three solutions, they were:
1. Pay and receive a ticket before you receive your food (31)
2. Put the lines back the way the use to be in the last school year(31)
3. Post staff members by the lines(30)
The next step, step six was to decide on the best solution, by looking at our solution chart we
noticed that we had a tie between our top two choices, we decided that paying and receiving a
ticket before you receive your food was the best solution because we knew that the faculty did
not want to go back to the way it was last year.
Step seven is implementing our solution, at first it would be a big change but we feel that
once put into effect, it will be a better system and will prevent school lunches from being stolen.
The first thing you do in line is get a stamped ticket that specified what you paid for from the
lunch lady, you than take it up to the food line and give it to another lunch lady, she gives you
your food and you go eat. Excellent introduction!

Methods
To help us solve this problem we used Deweys reflective thinking sequence, this
sequence has seven steps, as outlined in the project description. This is how we went about
solving the problem of students stealing school lunch at MHS.

Defining the Problem

The problem our group set out to solve was students stealing school lunch at MHS. After
we decided on this problem we asked ourselves why students would steal school lunch in the
first place. We considered that some students simply couldnt afford it, but the school has
systems in place to help students with money problems get lunch. We eventually came to the
conclusion that students steal school lunch simply because they can. The way that the lunch lines
are set up makes stealing food from the lunch lines and walking away with it easy for students.
This is good but you need to use this section to actually phrase your problem as an open ended
question. You did this in the next section, but make sure you follow directions carefully.

Analyzing the Problem

Students stealing school lunch at MHS sends a few messages, it communicates to other
students that stealing is possible and if they see their peers doing it, they might think its its
okokay. During our interviews, Mr. Wihongi told us that the stolen lunches dont cost the district
very much money, we disagree because if a few students steal lunch every day all year, that
might add up to a lot of lost money. (Excellent job disagreeing with him this shows direction
and focus.) To help us analyze the problem we stated it in the form of an open ended question.
How can we prevent students from stealing school lunch at MHS? with this in mind we set out
to do some research, we researched the characteristics, stakeholders, history, policys and politics
of the problem and the recourses available to help us solve it. This is a little incomplete. Your
analysis should also be a description of what you have noticed about the problem. How did it
first occur to you? What have you observed? How often does this happen? By now your reader
should have a clear understanding of how and when the theft is happening. You have yet to
provide any evidence of this actually happening all the reader has is your assertion that this is
happening, which is really not enough. You need evidence.
Stakeholders
There are many people in our school who are being affected by the stealing of food at
Murray High School. As a group we discussed the different people that are affected by this, and

who we should go to in order to find answers. We wanted to find out how they see the problem is
affecting the school.
Parents: Mikell interviewed Leann Wilcox, the mother of a Murray High student, and
asked what she thought about the issue at hand. She couldn't believe that it was actually
happening to begin with, when there is financial aid if you can't afford the lunch. When Mikell
explained that a lot of the kids that were participating in the stealing had money to spend, Leann
responded with a sharp reply of "They should be punished for taking the things they have for
granted, and not respecting the school that already provides so much for them." Parents don't
want their children to be around other students that aren't setting good examples.
School Police Officers: Reagan, Kelsey, and Mikell set out to interview one of the
school security guards and found some interesting answers. He said that there was only one
student caught in the past year that was punished for the crime of stealing cafeteria food. He said
that he knew that it happened more often than that, but it was hard to catch the perpetrators when
there wasn't enough staff to be watching the lunch lines and since the security cameras don't
show all of the lunch lines. The girls asked him what they did when the student was caught, and
he said that he was charged with theft. This shows that Murray High doesn't take stealing
lightly; it's just hard to catch the people. Good analysis, and your first bit of evidence that it is
actually happening.
Lunch Staff: When interviewed by Mikell and Kelsey, Mrs. Spracklen, a Murray High
lunch server, knew exactly what problem they were talking about. She responded to the question
of how often it happens with a smirk, saying that it happens daily, but everybody looks the other
way. (Excellent! This testimony should have been including in your analysis. However, it is
very good here and really provides the best proof so far that it is really a problem.) She didn't
believe there was a need to do anything, because she didn't think that it was affecting our school
directly moneywise. She went on to tell them that Stealing happens, but it would cost more to
implement a solution to the stealing, than to have a couple hamburgers stolen a day." (Do you
guys agree with this or disagree like you did with Mr. Wihongi. This seems to contradict your
claim that Murray High doesnt take stealing lightly. It sounds like Mr. Wihongi and Mrs.
Spracklen do take it kind of lightly.)
Federal Government: When Reagan, Kelsey, and Mikell interviewed one of Murray
High's administrators, Mr. Wihongi, he wasn't concerned with the money issue of stealing. He
was more concerned with the character of the students that were stealing. He said that the only
people being affected by the money loss would be the Federal Government since they are the
ones who give the money to the school for the school lunches. He is disappointed with the fact
that kids are still stealing things in high school and that it wasn't just a phase in Junior High. He
told us that Security cameras are around three hundred dollars for just one, and so that would be
unreasonable to spend that amount just to prevent a couple of meals being stolen. He's mainly
concerned with stopping people from stealing so that they don't continue to do it for the rest of
their lives.
Students: You might not think of the students of Murray High as being directly affected
by other students stealing lunch, but our group believes that they are being affected. Even

though it's just a hamburger or chips being stolen it makes some students feel as though they
aren't in the safest environment. They might feel as though if someone is willing to steal
something as inexpensive as chips, what else would they steal if they got the chance? Also when
there are things such as stealing going on in a community such as a high school, it makes it feel
like there are gaps in the lines of community where there should be strong bonds. (I really feel
like you guys were very thoughtful and thorough with each of these stakeholders. I liked the
balance between reporting what others said and putting in your own opinions, especially since
you stated them as opinions and not facts. That is the right way to do it.)
Policies & Politics
During the process of analyzing our problem at Murray High School thoroughly, we
talked about the policies and politics of students who are participating in our problem. The
policies we came up with were first, stealing in and of its own is a federal law. Two, the staff at
Murray High School, or any school, wouldnt allow stealing to happen. Last, dishonesty or deceit
to other people is not considerate or professional. The staff would try to prevent students from
stealing lunch as much as possible.
The politics of our problem refers to ethics of the common people. As Mikell Rudarmel
quotes: Stealing isnt something most people believe in. Stealing is morally wrong. As stated
in the M Book Students and staff will demonstrate respect, responsibility and integrity., also
Students, parents, faculty, staff, and the community have a significant responsibility in creating
a safe school that promotes academic achievements. (Murray High School Mission Statement,
pg.4)
History
Murray High School is not the first school to deal with stealing lunch; nor will Murray
High be the last. According to Easton Francis the new lunch system this year has made stealing
lunch prominently easier.
The old lunch system consisted of many lines. One would get in the line of their choice
and pay in the same line. For a better flow in the lunch room, Murray High put a new system in
place. They took out all paying lines and put one lunch lady in front of the line area. This lunch
lady is in charge of getting every kid paid for and onto the rest of their lunch time. Because there
is only one lunch lady watching a lot of kids all at once; kids are able to sneak away without
paying. The lines are so long for the kids to wait in, that they dont wait and move on without
paying.
The problem with stealing lunch has also increased because of the new ELP system. ELP
clashes with lunch during some periods. With the kids at lunch, plus the kids that get out for ELP
during the day, the amount of kids in the lunch room is tremendous. There are too many students
to keep track of; resulting in multiple lunches being stolen. This is great! I had no idea they had
changed the set up. But where did you get this information? Make sure you let the reader know

youre not just making this up. Even if its your own knowledge from being here last year, let
the reader know that.

Resources:
We identified the following as the resources at Murray High School that we can go to for
help when implementing our solution.
1.
2.
3.
4.

Administration
Posters
Spartan Vision
$100.00
5. A week or so, so that the problem can be solved as quickly as possible. (probably not as
much time as you would need.

Criteria
After discussing and studying the problem of school lunch being stolen, we needed to
decide what the best solution there is to fix this problem. When Ddeciding what the best solution
is you need to have criteria. Criteria is rather than rushing to the solution for the problem you
think of goodare characteristics that would make a good solutionthe group needs to make them
clear before considering possible solutions (Communicating at Work, pg. 249). Based on the
information and understanding of the problem that we know, we have made a list of 7 criteria
that any solution we came up with has to have to make it a good solution. They are:
The best solution for this problem will:
1. The cost of the new solution must be less than $100.00.
2. The solution must be legal in the state of Utah.
3. It will not publically embarrass the student caught stealing lunch.
4. It is acceptable to the Murray School District. How would you determine this?
5. It will be easy to catch the thief. (This supposes a specific solution- catching
thieves. Perhaps a good solution should prevent theft.
6. This could be easily implemented in other schools around Utah.
7. It will be easy for the students to adapt to the new system of buying lunch.
Consider Possible Solutions
Now that we have come up with our criteria the next step in this process is considering
the possible solutions. This is the time for using the creative thinking techniques
(Communicating at Work, pg. 250). For our group this was hard to do after coming up with
criteria. We wanted to jump right into thinking of possible solutions. It is very important to make
sure you do these in the correct order, because it is just as important as coming up with the

solution. As a group we have discussed many brainstorm ideas. This brainstorming is based on
our creativity, amount over value, and withholding judgment from other peoples ideas.

Brainstorming List
1. More security cameras around the lunch room
2. Post staff members by the lines
3. Posters up around the school, and in the lunch room saying You are being watched!
4. Stop giving lunch
5. Raise the price for lunch
6. Publically embarrass the thief
7. Have a lie detector test
8. Have snipers on the second floor looking over the Commons that shoot paint balls.
9. Send out a district wide message
10. Each student has to have some money in their account
11. New Cameras
12. When receiving a Renaissance reward one prize could be a free lunch
13. Make a list during the first period of the day who will be getting school lunch
14. Pay before in your class
15. Pay with cash dont use your I.D. number
16. Have exit lines where you go and they make sure you bought your lunch
17. Put the lines back to the way they were last school year
18. They give you a stamp if you bought your lunch
19. Pay at the beginning of the year and get a refund at the end of the school year if you
didnt use it. Like the yearbook refund.
20. Change where they pay and having the lines set up differently
21. Move buying and receiving your food in a different room like Spartan Cove and have it
in a buffet style
22. Make it like a store. Ex> Quiznos
23. The clickers they have at lagoon when entering a ride, have those for the lunch room if
you are buying lunch
24. Pay at the beginning of the line instead of the end. They raise the price if you want extra
milk, or an extra side
25. Buy and get a ticket before getting lunch. The ticket shows that you have paid
26. Have a self check out like at Smiths
Decide on a Solution
Once the group has considered all possible solutions to a problem, it can go back and find
the best answer to the problem (Communicating at Work, pg. 250) This is done by looking at all
of our brainstorming ideas and seeing what which ones most fit best fit our criteria. There were a
few brainstorming ideas that obviously didnt work (having snipers, and stop serving lunch) so

we took them out instantly. Some we also combined into one. We narrowed our list down to
these ideas:
1. More security cameras
2. Post staff members
3. Pay with Cash dont use your I.D. number
4. Put the lines back to the way they were last school year
5. Move into a separate room with a buffet style
6. Pay and be given a ticket before getting your lunch
After fixing our brainstorming list we came up with a chart that lists our criteria and our six
different suggestions of a solution. We rated them on a scale of 0-5 with 5 being the best and 0
the worst on how well we thought it would meet the criteria:

Cost
$100
or Less

It is
Legal

Doesnt
It
Is
Could be
Easy
Totals
Publicly
would acceptable implemented
for
embarrass be easy
to the
into other
students
them
to
District
schools
to
catch
adjust
the
suspect
5how did
4
5
3
4
26
you
decide
this?
3
5
5
5
3
30

More
Security
Cameras

Post
staff
members
by the
lines
Pay with
cash
dont
use your
I.D.
number
Put the
lines
back the

5Not sure
the
district
would be
okay with
this
5

28

31

way the
use to be
in the
last
school
year
Move to
a
separate
room in
a buffet
style
Pay and
receive a
ticket
before
you
receive
your
food

25

31

Im not sure how you know that each of these would be acceptable to the district. Did you
interview someone at the district? Make sure you are clear with your criteria.
There were two with the same score of 31. We decided to just choose one of them. We
choose to pay and receive a ticket before you receive your food. We feel as if this is the best
solution because you cant get your food until you already have paid. You will have proof that
you paid also by showing the lunch ladies that you have a ticket. Our next step was to implement
the solution we decided on.
Implementing the Solution
The solution that we chose that (we believe) would correct the problem of kids stealing
lunch was for each student to pay prior to ever receiving any food. To begin with, we would have
to earn the approval of the solution from the principal, as well as the district and school lunch
workers. (see, your analysis chart assumes that the district and school already approve of this.
This is a slight inconsistency.) Once we got our solution approved we would work on creating
tickets.
Each student who wished to eat school lunch would receive or pick up a small ticket. This
ticket would essentially be a simple piece of paper that would allow them to get lunch. The piece
of paper would be about 3 inches by 3 inches. On the paper would be certain boxes, representing
either a normal lunch, or the amount of any extra items that will be purchased.

Normal Lunch
2

1
Extra Items
3
The tickets will be paid for and then taken up to the assembly line to receive the food.
Each student will hand the lunch lady behind the food their ticket and the lunch worker will give
them each item that is stamped on the ticket. After retrieving the food for the student, the worker
will tear the paper so it cannot be reused. Thus, stealing from others can be reduced.
When paying for the food via the meal ticket, the lunch worker who accepts the Student
ID number will stamp the boxes that correspond with the meal that the student desires. Each day
the stamp will change (There will be 5 per week and each week the ink color will vary, to avoid
plagiarism of the stamps).
The line that is currently set up in the lunch area will not need to change for this solution.
The flow of students will stay about the same (which is definitely a benefit) and the lunch
workers will have an easier time getting the students to pay and making sure that each student
has paid. Because of the way its set up currently, students will have an easier time paying for
their food and receiving it in a timely manner.
The lunch workers will be able to easily adjust to the change in the lunch setup and it
won't be too abrupt a change for the students, either. The only ones who would need to change
anything drastically is the copy lady. The copy center would need to print and cut approximately
1,500 slips per day so that there are enough for every student if they desire school lunch and
some extra. Since about 6 tickets will fit on one piece of paper, approximately 200 pieces of
paper will be needed to be used each day.
The average box of 500 sheets of office paper is about $40 and if the paper is put into
recycling bins after use the cost will go down. The lunch workers would need a total of 15
stamps (1 per computer, which adds up to 3 per day and 15 per week) and 6 pads of ink (3 per
computer, changing every week for 3 weeks). All of this will add up to no more than $30, which
is really a one-time investment.
Once all the supplies are accumulated it will take no more than one day to implement this
solution. However, it will take about two to four weeks for it to become a habit among students
at Murray High. To first advertise the change, Dr. Dunn can write a letter to the students and
parents discussing what changes will be made to the lunch system and how it will affect the
students. It can be announced on Spartan Vision daily and small posters can be made and posted
around the lunch area as reminders to the students of the new policy. This is really, really
good!!! I can totally see this being implemented and working easily. Its actually one of the best

explanations of an implementation Ive seen. Great work. My biggest concern, and your biggest
obstacle, would be the amount of paper you are proposing. I would be interested to see if that
would stop it from being approved.

You forgot to put in your section on the follow-up. Thats the last part of Deweys system
follow up on your solution. How will you know if your solution worked? When will you know?
Etc. Having a good follow-up plan would have made your paper near perfect.

Conclusion
Students stealing lunch is a big problem at Murray High School. It often goes unnoticed
because it doesn't directly affect the high school, but it is a problem district-wide, especially
because it happens in every school. As a group we went through Dewey's Problem Solving
Method (Adler & Elmhorst, p. 248), we narrowed our solutions down based on certain criteria
that we wanted to achieve. We also learned a lot about the problem so that we could come up
with a solution that would appropriately fit the problem. Finally we came up with a solution that
matched our criteria and provided the students of Murray with a safe, non-stealing environment
to eat in. Forcing the students to pay in advance using meal tickets will drastically reduce the rate
of stealing that goes on, but will also make lunch time so much easier for students and staff. This
will definitely solve the problem of stealing lunch at Murray High School.
Very well done the best paper in our class, by far. A few minor inconsistencies, but it is
well written, thorough, and really shows that you understand Deweys process (except for the
fact that you left out the follow up. Unfortunately, this will cost a few points.). My favorite part
is your solution and the detailed, yet simple way you explained its implementation. Thanks for
following directions so well. I enjoyed reading it. Individuals may resubmit for additional
points.
50/60

Works Cited
Adler, R. Elmhorst, J. (2010). Communicating at work. New York, NY: MCGraw-Hill
Companies, Inc.
Murray High School Parent/ Student Handbook 2010-2011. Murray UT.

COMM 1010 class notes, Salt Lake Community College, Spring Semester 2011 Will Saxton
instructor

Appendix # 1: Team Contract

Relational Norms:

1.
2.
3.
4.
Task Norm:

Always be on time.
If you cannot attend, let the other team members know.
Do your own work.
Do not call at an undesirable time at day or night.

1. Be respectful.
2. Do not be negative about others ideas.
3. Keep an open mind.
Relational Roles:
1. Do not jump to conclusions.
2. Debate in a nice way
Task Roles:
1. Makell will be our official planner. She will plan what goes on during the meetings
and if you need anything planned, shes your woman!
2. Mikell and Easton will proofread everything before it gets submitted so were all
happy with the result.
3. Reagan will be in charge of contacting everyone about the meetings and what each
persons responsible for.
4. Kelsey will make sure that we stay on task during our meetings.

Kelsey Robinson kelseyrobinson_003@hotmail.com (801)-520-4935 cell

Mikell Rudarmel kell.101@hotmail.com (801)-828-8326 cell
Makell Bailey makellbailey13@hotmail.com (801)-703-7178 cell
Reagan Eisert reaganeisert@gmail.com (801)-205-2131 cell
Easton Francis eastonscool@yahoo.com (801)-953-7986 cell

Appendix #2 Solution Analysis Chart

Cost
$100
or Less

It is
Legal

Doesnt
It
Is
Could be
Easy
Totals
Publicly
would acceptable implemented
for
embarrass be easy
to the
into other
students
them
to
District
schools
to
catch
adjust

More
Security
Cameras
Post
staff
members
by the
lines
Pay with
cash
dont
use your
I.D.
number
Put the
lines
back the
way the
use to be
in the
last
school
year
Move to
a
separate
room in
a buffet
style
Pay and
receive a
ticket
before
you
receive
your
food

the
suspect
4

30

28

31

25

31

26

Appendix #3: Team Evaluation

At our last meeting, we assigned participation points to each group member. In the following we
show our list of points and reasons.
A. Bailey, Makell- 38 Points

B.

C.

D.

E.

1. Makell was the official planner for our group. She planned what we would be doing
in the all of the meetings we would be attending. She was very helpful and kept us
organized. She was on time to all of the meetings. She was always prepared and had a
good attitude. She typed up the criteria and brainstorming ideas for our final paper.
Eisert, Reagan- 39 Points
1. Reagan was in charge of contacting everyone about the meetings and what each
person was responsible for in the upcoming meeting. She was very organized and
kept all of the papers we were working on. Reagan was supportive of all group
members and their ideas. She attended all of the meetings and was an essential asset
to the team.
Francis, Easton- 39 Points
1. Easton was in charge of proofreading everything we accomplished before it was
submitted. He was on time and present for all of the meetings. He did his share of
work and was willing to share opinions.
Robinson, Kelsey- 39 Points
1. Kelsey was in charge of keeping everyone on task during our group meetings. She
was always on time for the meetings and was dedicated to the paper. She was
encouraging of everyones ideas and was never degrading.
Rudarmel, Mikell- 39 Points
1. Mikell was the other proofreader in the group. She went over all of the work and
made sure it was acceptable before submitting it. She was on time for all of the
meetings and was encouraging to all of the team members.