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Portsmouth committee approves modest meal price increases and one-year Chartwells contract for FY27
Summary
The Portsmouth School Committee approved modest increases to paid school meal prices for the 2627 school year and authorized a one-year FY27 food service contract with Chartwells (subject to final RIDE approval). Officials said the changes aim to cover an approximate $15,000 operational shortfall in food services.
The Portsmouth School Committee voted unanimously to raise paid school meal prices for the 2627 school year and to approve a one-year food service management contract with Chartwells under the state'wide RIDE agreement.
Superintendent Dr. Viveros said the district's food service program has been running at about a $15,000 operational loss (not including roughly $15,000 in student negative balances) and proposed small price adjustments to reach break-even. "In order to run at a break-even rate, I am proposing the following price increases for paid meals for the 2627 school year," she said. The changes approved were: elementary breakfast to $1.40 (up $0.05), secondary breakfast to $1.55 (up $0.05), elementary lunch to $3.05 (up $0.10) and secondary lunch to $3.30 (up $0.10). The committee approved the proposal unanimously.
Committee members raised questions about cost drivers. Mr. Duro noted inflation and labor costs; Dr. Viveros said federal reimbursement levels and an ongoing collective bargaining agreement negotiation with Chartwells are factors. "We believe we have a budget put together with Chartwells that breaks even for us," she said, adding the district expects federal reimbursements to help cover costs.
Separately, the committee approved a one-year contract award to Chartwells for FY27 to provide food service management services under the RIDE statewide contract. The superintendent explained the statewide award is structured for five one-year renewals under USDA regulations; the local FY27 contract approval is subject to final RIDE approval. The motion passed unanimously.
The committee's action pairs the modest price increases with the vendor contract renewal; officials said the intention is to stabilize operations and limit the program's operating deficit. The committee did not set a new timeline for additional price changes and pointed to ongoing labor negotiations and federal reimbursement updates as variables that could change future budgets.
