Board approves Chartwells food contract, virtual training simulator and other routine items in 5–0 votes

The Gary Community School Corporation Board of Trustees on an otherwise routine agenda approved seven district items by recorded roll call votes, each passing 5–0.

The board voted to hire Chartwells (part of Compass Group) as the district’s food service management company for the 2025–26 school year after an RFP process. Superintendent Doctor Stokes introduced the recommendation and invited the Chartwells team to present their proposal and programs. Chartwells’ regional sales director Kelly Gill described the company’s K–12 focus, culinary staff and student-engagement programs, including a Navigate paid internship and student-choice menu pilots; Chartwells said its implementation typically produces an increase in meal program participation. The board approved the recommendation by roll call (5 yes, 0 no).

Separately the board approved purchase and implementation of a virtual training simulator for the career center, funded through the district’s Perkins grant. Presenters described the simulator as an immersive training tool for scenarios such as de-escalation, active-threat responses and other situational training; they said the vendor’s package includes software and a victim curriculum that can grant certificates on completion. The motion carried 5–0.

Other items the board approved by unanimous roll call were: - awarding a lawn-care services contract to Rough Hands (the vendor will also perform lot cleanups), 5–0; - transitioning the district’s website hosting and messaging services from the current vendor to Apogee (a dedicated K–12 hosting solution) to handle increased traffic, 5–0; - accepting Resolution 14, described to the board as related to maintenance agreements and bargaining arrangements dating to 1997, 5–0; - accepting several donor contributions (including books and small activity funds) as listed in the agenda packet, 5–0; and - approving field experiences and conferences listed in the packet, 5–0.

Board roll-call tallies were read aloud for each motion; the vote count reported for each approved item was 5 yes, 0 no.

What the motions did and did not do - The Chartwells vote approved Chartwells as the district’s new food-service manager; no contract dollar amount or start-date beyond “for the 2025–26 school year” was specified on the record. - The virtual simulator approval was described as funded through the Perkins grant; presenters and staff indicated the district will follow policy and procurement steps after board approval. - Resolution 14 was presented as a policy/contract action tied to the district’s maintenance agreement and bargaining arrangements; the board accepted it on unanimous vote.

Quotes and presenters “We are honored to be here today. We are very excited to start here at the Gary Community Schools,” Kelly Gill, Chartwells regional sales director, said during the presentation. Superintendent Doctor Stokes asked the board to approve Chartwells after the presentation.

What comes next District staff said they will carry out transition steps with each approved vendor and follow the normal contracting procedures described during presentations (on-site staffing selections, implementation training, and communications to families). The board did not discuss any rescissions or follow-up votes related to the approved items at the meeting.

Votes at a glance (approved items) - Consent agenda (items 5.1–5.6): approved, roll call 5–0. - 6.1 — Food-service provider: Chartwells recommended and approved, roll call 5–0. - 6.2 — Virtual training simulator (career center, Perkins grant): approved, roll call 5–0. - 6.3 — Lawn care vendor (Rough Hands): approved, roll call 5–0. - 6.4 — Website hosting and messaging move to Apogee: approved, roll call 5–0. - 6.5 — Resolution 14 (maintenance agreement/bargaining agreements): approved, roll call 5–0. - 6.6 — Acceptance of listed donations: approved, roll call 5–0. - 6.7 — Field experiences/conferences listed in packet: approved, roll call 5–0.

Board members and presenters quoted in this article are listed in the speakers section below. All votes and roll-call tallies referenced in this article are from the meeting record as read into the minutes and reflected in roll-call announcements during the session.