Franklin County Schools selects Chartwells to manage school meals after board debate

The Franklin County Community School Corporation board voted to award its food-service management contract for the 2026–27 school year to Chartwells K12, approving the superintendent’s recommendation and making the award contingent on final legal and Indiana Department of Education review.

Superintendent Dustin Garary said the district’s priority was to keep meals available for students and to preserve jobs for cafeteria staff who want to stay. "My priority number one is that our kids get to eat," he told the board, and he urged the board to weigh program sustainability and staff continuity alongside cost.

Board members raised questions about the procurement process and transition details. One committee member said they had spoken with cafeteria workers who reported limited communication and raised concern that Chartwells had already posted job openings before final board approval. Garary responded that the postings were intended to facilitate a smooth transition if the contract were approved and that the district required all staff who wished to remain to be offered continued employment; he said Chartwells had committed to improved compensation and benefits for staff who transfer.

Chartwells representatives outlined proposed transition incentives. "Everyone that does move over to us does get a 5% increase in their wages," Kelly Deal, regional sales director for Chartwells, told the board, and the company plans a $250 sign-on bonus for staff who join their team. Nick, an area director and former chef with Chartwells, emphasized the company’s experience in school food service and community engagement.

Board members asked how the district would maintain financial control and whether summer feeding and breakfast programs would continue; administration said the district would retain financial oversight, continue state reimbursements and reimburse Chartwells based on invoices. The superintendent said the move was intended to make the program sustainable after recent years of operating strain.

The board also considered a vendor protest filed during the bid process; administration and the state education reviewers found no merit to the protest. After discussion, the board approved the recommendation by roll-call-style hand raise with a tally recorded as 4–0.

The contract approval is conditional on final contract review by the district’s counsel and the Indiana Department of Education; administrators said they will keep the board informed of implementation details, staffing assignments, and any measurable changes to menu offerings or student-survey results.