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Board renews Chartwells contract and approves a 5-cent student lunch increase; staff exploring universal free-lunch options
Summary
The board renewed the Chartwells food-service contract (one-year renewal guaranteeing $75,000) and approved a 5-cent increase in student lunch prices for 2026–27. Staff said they are evaluating Community Eligibility (CEP) options that could enable universal free lunches at qualifying schools if financially and operationally viable.
The Abington Board of School Directors on April 28 approved a one-year renewal of the Chartwells School Dining Services contract for 2026–27 and a modest increase in student lunch prices while district staff said they are studying broader options to expand free meals.
What the board approved The board voted to renew Chartwells’ contract for one year with a guaranteed payment of $75,000 to the district, contingent on budgeted operating days and enrollment. The motion also included approval of a second reading of a revised food-service policy that adds explicit tracking and pricing guidance for non-program food, following internal-audit recommendations.
Meal-price change and reasons given Administrators recommended a five-cent increase in student lunches — elementary lunches from $3.35 to $3.40 and middle/high from $3.40 to $3.45 — and a 10-cent increase for adult meals; universal free breakfast remains in place. Presenters said the district had not increased meal prices for two years and that the change is modest compared with historical trends.
Payments, MySchoolBucks and family controls Board members asked about MySchoolBucks (the parent-loading app) and whether families can limit student purchases. Staff noted that Pennsylvania school code requires acceptance of cash and that while parents and staff can review purchase records, the app offers limited child-level spending controls. Service fees charged when families add funds are used to cover banking/processing costs.
Exploring universal free lunch Staff said several schools currently meet thresholds for Community Eligibility (CEP) and that the district is actively analyzing whether districtwide CEP (or groupings of schools) could be financially viable so that free lunches could be provided equitably across eligible buildings. Any CEP move would require a financial analysis to ensure the food-service fund remains solvent.
Next steps Chartwells will operate under the renewal terms for 2026–27; staff will continue the CEP financial analysis and report back to the board on feasibility and impact.
