Board approves Chartwells contract extension after discussion of new leadership and staff concerns

The Asheville City Schools Board of Education voted unanimously to approve an amendment to the district's Chartwells school food service contract after board members, district staff and Chartwells representatives discussed recent management changes and staff concerns.

Board members made the motion and, after a second, opened discussion. Superintendent Maggie Fuhrman and district staff said Chartwells recently changed local leadership and that the district and Chartwells staff plan to meet with the new director to help acclimate the company to local school operations.

Chartwells' new local director introduced himself at the meeting as Shane (last name provided in the meeting). He told the board he had been in the area about two weeks, had recently held managers' meetings with cafeteria staff, and was conducting site visits to hear employee feedback and identify training or operational needs.

Board members expressed concerns about staff morale and continuity. Trustees emphasized the importance of Chartwells working closely with food and nutrition staff and promised that district leaders would monitor onboarding and service delivery. One board member raised the district's long-term interest in converting some positions back to district employment but noted that such an approach was not part of the contract currently before the board.

A board member asked whether Chartwells opposes unemployment claims filed by contract employees during seasonal furloughs. A Chartwells representative said the company does not contest such claims and described those seasonal layoffs as furloughs when work is not available; the company provides dates when workers are expected to return to work but does not determine state eligibility.

The contract amendment before the board primarily updated the reimbursement rate for the next year; district staff provided the original contract for reference at the meeting. After discussion the board voted in favor of the amendment; the meeting record shows the motion passed with all present voting aye.

The board did not record individual roll-call vote tallies in the public discussion excerpt. District staff said they would continue engagement with Chartwells leadership to address concerns raised by employees and board members.

The approval allows Chartwells to continue providing school nutrition services under the amended terms; district staff indicated they will monitor performance and report back on any unresolved concerns.