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School committee OKs continued Chartwells contract; meal prices to rise modestly
Summary
Committee members discussed renewing the district's Chartwells food‑service contract and agreed to modest student meal price increases to offset wage increases: +$0.15 for breakfast and incremental lunch increases reported for elementary and secondary levels.
District leaders told the committee they intend to continue the state contract with Chartwells and to raise student meal prices to help offset planned wage increases for hourly cafeteria staff. "We have decided to use the state contracts in Chartwells," the chair said during the presentation of the food‑service contract renewal. Staff explained that the wage adjustments respond to state minimum‑wage changes and the need to retain long‑service employees.
Administrators also explained the proposed price adjustments to families: elementary and secondary breakfast prices would increase by $0.15; elementary lunches would rise by about $0.30–$0.45 and secondary lunch prices would be adjusted to align with neighboring districts. Committee members asked whether the increases were already budgeted; staff replied that those additional costs were included in the proposed FY budget assumptions and that extra grant applications (such as fresh fruit and vegetable grants) would be pursued to help subsidize meals.
Members pressed for clarity about grab‑and‑go availability and whether any of the increases would affect eligibility for free‑and‑reduced benefits; administrators said the district will continue federal and state programs for eligible students and will monitor impact.
