Norton School Committee awards Chartwells food service contract for FY27

NORTON — April 15, 2026 — Norton School Committee unanimously awards food service contract to Chartwells for FY27. The board voted April 15 to award a one-year food service management contract to Chartwells School Dining, the only vendor among five submitters to reach the top scoring tier in a state-mandated competitive proposal process overseen by Finance Director Christine Hadfield as chief procurement officer. Chartwells' guaranteed financial return to the district is $214,659 for FY27; the contract carries four one-year renewal options, each requiring annual DESE approval. The committee also received first readings of three revised fundraising policies reflecting new Massachusetts regulations that prohibit staff and students from participating in raffles or games of chance at school-affiliated events. Superintendent Dr. Jennifer O'Neill was reappointed to the boards of the Bay County and READS collaboratives, her FY26 evaluation was formally approved, and the district announced a School Committee vacancy — residents have until April 24 at 5 p.m. to submit letters of interest to Town Manager Mark Gould.