Wyoming Valley West board moves to solicit new food-service bids; Aramark employees seek assurances

The Wyoming Valley West School District board voted to amend its agenda to proceed with a request for proposals for the district food-service contract, drawing multiple public comments from Aramark employees who said the early bid raised concerns about job security and local staffing.

Board president Mister Kamas and other board representatives said the district is required by Pennsylvania Department of Education procurement guidance to run a competitive bid on food-service contracts on a five-year cycle and that the current solicitation is being issued early because the incumbent was not the lowest bidder in recent evaluations. "We are required by Pennsylvania part of Department of Education to put it out every 5 years," a board representative said, and the district is conducting due diligence to ensure the best value for taxpayers.

The matter prompted several Aramark employees to speak during public comment. Kayleen Hoskins, who identified herself as an Aramark employee, said Aramark has served the district for 30 years and asked the board to consider the impact on long-term employees and the community if the vendor changes. "That kind of commitment and dedication isn't built overnight," Hoskins said, urging the board not to disrupt employees who live in the district and whose families are tied to the schools.

The board responded with assurances the district would include a hold-harmless clause in the RFP requiring that current employees be retained with equal or better wages and fringe benefits if a new vendor is selected. "It would be built into the RFP, that it has to be equal or better to wages and fringe benefits," the superintendent said. The board repeatedly emphasized its obligation to steward taxpayer dollars and keep potential vendors competitive.

Board members also discussed components of their vendor-evaluation matrix. A board representative said guaranteed paybacks are one factor among several. In the meeting, a board member noted a prior guaranteed return of about $1,000,000 from a vendor and that Aramark had not been the lowest bidder on a past RFP, which contributed to the decision to solicit bids early.

Aramark employees at the meeting asked for transparency and clarity about benefits and continuity of employment. Laurie Monica and Kim Trope, both speaking as Aramark employees, requested direct answers from the board; Monica asked why the RFP was being issued with three years remaining on the contract and requested that the board explain the rationale to employees and taxpayers.

The board said the RFP process aims to evaluate multiple factors including price, guarantees and service offerings, and it reiterated that employees would not lose pay or benefits if the contract changes hands. The board also said it might pursue expanded services and grant-funded improvements in cafeterias as part of vendor negotiations.

The meeting record shows the board approved routine minutes and later adjourned to an executive session to continue discussions with staff; the RFP timeline and any vendor selection decisions will be carried forward according to procurement rules and subsequent board actions.