Munster board renews Chartwells food-service contract for 2025–26 school year

The School Town of Munster Board of School Trustees approved a one-year renewal of Chartwells’ food-service contract for the 2025–26 school year at its May 12, 2025, meeting, citing the vendor’s responsiveness to student feedback.

District staff said the corporation completed a request-for-proposal process in July 2023 and may opt to continue using Chartwells under the current procurement rules through a defined contract period. The administration recommended retaining Chartwells based on service received.

Superintendent Doctor Heller described a recent meeting arranged by the district in which elementary student members of the district’s student advisory council provided direct feedback to Chartwells about menu items. “Chartwells was very responsive. They brought in some new menu items, they were considering adding to the menu to get the students to taste test it and provide feedback,” Heller said. The board and administration presented the session as evidence of vendor engagement with students.

The motion to approve the Chartwells renewal was made and seconded during the meeting; the board voted in favor without recorded dissent.

Administrators also noted that school food-service revenues can support cafeteria improvements. The district plans to use food-service funds for equipment upgrades in some schools, and Chartwells’ ongoing role was framed as part of that operational planning.

Board members thanked Chartwells for partnering with the district and for taking student feedback into account; no substantive changes to the contract were described at the meeting.