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Kitchen Manager Fired After Giving Food To Hungry Students Shares Personnel Record

AURORA, Colo. (CBS4) - The former kitchen manager for Dakota Valley Elementary School who said she was fired for giving lunch to hungry students now has her personnel file that she says backs up her claim.

When CBS4 first reported on her story, Della Curry received national attention. At the time said she had nothing to hide, and now in an effort to back up those words she gave CBS4 her personnel record as well as her termination letter.

A month ago Curry was fired by the Cherry Creek School District. The district claims Curry lost her job for other reasons than feeding children who were hungry and couldn't afford lunch.

"I stand by all of my statements. I let you see this because I'm not in this for publicity, I'm not in this for attention. And I've got nothing to hide," she said.

A month and a half before her termination, Della received a glowing review, exceeding expectations in several areas and being called "excellent," and "a welcoming presence."

The file states in part that Curry lost her job for "giving away food at no charge."

della curry personnel record
(credit: CBS)

"Yes I gave a scoop-and-a-half to the second graders, at the end of the day rather than just throwing it in the trash," she said.

The district says Curry violated USDA policy regarding food distribution.

"Violation of those regulations puts our funding at risk for all of our kids. It's not a decision she can make on her own," said Tustin Amole of the Cherry Creek School District.

Meanwhile, Curry says she's unemployed and unashamed.

"I was a good employee. I loved that job, I loved that school district, I loved those kids. I could have continued to be a very good employee, and I've admitted that I broke the rules and I should have worked harder within the system. But the system is broken and it doesn't work," she said.

The termination letter also mentioned cash register checkout problems by Della, and cellphone use. The district said they completed an independent investigation and found other issues they are not at liberty to discuss.

Curry said she is looking forward to addressing the school board on Aug. 10.

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