School Board Renews

Food Service Contract

By Susan Coney

While enjoying complementary beverages and snacks provided the school district’s food service, the Board of Education voted to renew the contract of Chartwells for another year.

During the boards discussions of the contract, Chartwells representatives guaranteed, upon renewal of the contract, a return of $68,043 to the school budget to be used for miscellaneous equipment, such as an emergency replacement of an oven or fryer. The money can only be spent for food service operations.

In arguing for renewal of the contract, Chartwells stressed its commitment to the Newtown community. They noted that in the past year they offered 100 percent of all former food service employees from the previous contractor, Sodexho Associates, a job, guaranteeing the same position, same pay rate with a three percent increase in October of 2004, 100 percent payment of Cobra benefits, 11 sick/holiday days, and eligibility for 401K retirement plan.

The food service representatives went on to say that all cafeterias are above 95 percent in ratings by the state health department, emphasizing their retraining programs for associates in food safety, sanitation, proper cooking techniques, and especially batch cooking to meet state compliance standards.

Chartwells also stressed that it has an exclusive registered dietician, Jill Patterson, who will have a significant impact on the well-being of the students and staff of Newtown. Ms Patterson has already conducted nutrition education classes to more than 600 students in the school system. She has met with all area principals and school nurses. She will be available to field calls from parents regarding food allergies or medical questions pertaining to diet.