Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Food Service Contract topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Aberdeen board backs five-year renewal with Lunchtime Solutions pending state approval
Summary
After a competitive RFP, staff recommended and the board approved recommending Lunchtime Solutions for another five-year food-service management contract; finalization is contingent on Department of Education approval and includes a transition note on staffing.
The Aberdeen School Board on April 27 recommended continuing the district's five-year relationship with Lunchtime Solutions to manage school meal services, a decision the board approved subject to state Department of Education sign-off.
District administrators described an RFP process that included a mandatory site tour, a question-and-answer period and the receipt of three proposals. A small evaluation team (including district staff Michaela Soullum and board member Brian Sharp) reviewed proposals against a rubric that weighed per-meal price, service capability and staffing, employee training, accounting and marketing for student participation.
"We're very happy with [the incumbent], and we're going to continue that relationship," said Michaela Soullum, who participated in evaluating the proposals and described Lunchtime Solutions as the most prevalent provider in the area. Staff reported the vendor currently employs a majority of the food-service workers in the district and estimated 19 district staff and 29 Lunchtime Solutions staff are involved in operations; the board was told employment arrangements and non-compete clauses could affect which staff transfer if a different vendor were chosen.
Board members moved and approved the recommendation to proceed with Lunchtime Solutions and to take the required next step to obtain approval from the South Dakota Department of Education before finalizing a contract. The board noted the proposal contains proprietary material; those documents will remain confidential per procurement rules but are available for board inspection.
What's next: district staff will seek Department of Education approval, then complete contract finalization and any required personnel transitions if the approval is granted.
