Burke County Schools consider new five-year food service contract with Chartwells

The Burke County Public Schools held a work session on March 31, 2025, to discuss the renewal of their food service contract with Chartwells, which is set to expire after five years. The meeting began with an overview of the Request for Proposal (RFP) process that the district initiated in September. The RFP, approximately 50 pages long, attracted four companies that submitted bids after attending a pre-bid meeting.

The committee, consisting of nine members, evaluated the proposals and recommended renewing the contract with Chartwells for another five years, with the option for yearly renewals. The new contract will see an increase in the mill equivalent cost from $3.43 to $3.74. Chartwells has guaranteed a yearly return of $400,000, excluding equipment costs, and plans to enhance food quality by introducing weekly premium days, up from the current monthly offerings.

Employee compensation was a significant topic of discussion. The new contract stipulates a minimum wage increase for Chartwells employees to $14.50 per hour, with those who have been with the company since 2018 receiving $15.30 per hour. Additionally, the contract includes various bonuses to incentivize staff, such as quarterly attendance bonuses and holiday bonuses.

A notable feature of the new contract is the introduction of the Navigate program, which aims to provide career opportunities for students from low-income and underserved communities. This 12-week program will focus on essential skills such as job interview preparation and financial literacy, combining classroom learning with hands-on training. The program will also utilize a food truck to offer practical experiences.

The meeting concluded with discussions about the logistics of the food truck program and enhanced coffee offerings at the high schools. Each school will have access to a food truck twice a year, and coffee services will expand to all four high schools by early next year.

Overall, the session highlighted the district's commitment to improving food services and employee conditions while providing valuable opportunities for students. The board is expected to vote on the proposed contract in the upcoming meetings.