All right. Good evening everyone. I'll call the uh August 4th, 2025 meeting of the PL school committee to order. Uh everyone, please join me in the pledge of allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America
and to the republic to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. All right. All right. Uh we only have one item uh
on the agenda uh tonight and that is u a recommendation from the uh administration for food services uh manager. So Dr. Campbell, I will turn it over to you. Thank you, Mr. Pasano. And good evening everyone, and thank you all for being here. Um, so as you know, excuse me,
over the past several weeks, we've been carefully evaluating the future of food service leadership and management in our district for the coming school year. Um, so um, at our at a previous meeting, we decided to approach this in a sort of a
two parallel process. First, we issued an RFP and solicited proposals from school nutrition management companies from around the country. And at the same time, we opened a search for a new director of food services through a formal screening and interview process
uh that we do for administrative positions. Uh before I share our recommendation, I'd like to uh first invite Dr. Blazedell to speak briefly to the RFB process and provide an overview of the proposals received and then following that um if Mr. Sch is not um
online, I will speak to the screening and interview process uh for the director position. So, Dr. Blazelle, if you want to talk about the the the RFP process. Good evening everyone. Um, so we released a request for proposals for a food service management company um with
the approval of the RFP from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education at the beginning of July. Um, three of the food service management companies met with me and tooured three of our school kitchens and cafeteria mid July. Only companies that were present at the walkthrough were permitted to
submit a proposal to us. Um we received three proposals, one from Aramark, one from Chartwells and one from Genuine Foods. Um as far part of the DESIE process for RFPs, um a team reviewed and rated each of the proposals using a rubric of four different categories,
highly advantageous, advantageous, not advantageous, and unacceptable. And we looked at 11 different areas. We rated each one of them areas individually. The areas that we rated were general experience, reference satisfaction, operations, relative experience of the
food service director, menus, marketing, financial stability of the company, employee training, student participation in food and breakfast and lunch and breakfast programs. Cafeteria staff remaining employees. cafeteria staff
remaining employees of the district and servicing districts of similar size. If the company was rated as highly advantageous overall, then we opened their pricing proposal. If they didn't, then we weren't able to open them. When we opened the pricing proposals, all of them rated as highly advantageous. So,
we opened the pricing proposals. Aramark provided the highest guarantee to the district of and the guarantee would have been would be $778,94 for the year. Chartwells had a $324,81 guarantee and Genuine Foods listed a
$253,027 guarantee. At this time, Aramark is the most advantageous proposal when looking at both the non-pric and pricing proposals. When you put the two together, um I did speak to Aramark today. Um I spoke to the team. Um and that they did state that they were ready
to start. They said they have a decorated chef of high caliber who has won numerous Aramark awards and served as a food service director for at least seven years and she is local to the area. They would also provide us with an experienced assistant food service director. There's a team of staff not on site that would be responsible for tasks
such as purchasing food and providing us data that would be tracked on a dashboard um for transparency. The dash dashboard would show participation rates at each school to help with positive rates and to address low participation in some buildings or looking at specific meals. If they were to be awarded the
contract, they would meet with us immediately to schedule employee training and develop an action plan. Most of the districts that Aramac has worked with in the past um have employees that work for the school district. Um and we would work on developing procedures with Aramac for working through employee contracts. When
discussing the guarantee because it was higher than the others, um it is based on participation in both breakfast and lunch. Um utilizing data from other similar districts that they've worked with, they built in increases to participation in both breakfast and lunch, which really drives
income. The rates are based on data from past performances in other districts. Um, one of the comments they they talked about was they're not taking food off the plate or decreasing food quality because you can't build participation rates this way. You can't increase participation if you decrease food
amounts or decrease quality. Um, they'll also work to survey students to determine what they what the students want to see. In addition, they have the ability for buying control and any food rebates are passed on to us. Um, menus are built on variety, service, and building participation.
Thanks, Dr. I I do not believe that Mr. Schopi is um with us this evening, but in terms of the process um I know our school committee is very familiar with that process, we follow our school committee policy for principal coordinator and director positions that are vacant. So
there's representation from school administration, district administration, uh food service staff. We had several food service staff as well. Uh Mr. Mr. Margarad Delis was a school committee rep and I thank him for uh participating in both both days. Really appreciate
that. Um Dr. Blaze Dell and Mr. Chopi were also in attendance. Um we had standard questions as we always do. We ask each candidate same questions and then everyone does their anonymous uh rating of the employees and we bring in uh those that rise to the top. and we
had um two that really rose to the top in comparison to the others while they were all strong. Um but when we began this process, as you may recall, I was initially concerned that we may not be able to attract qualified candidates for the director role at this late stage in
the summer. Uh and to our pleasant surprise, we received 30 applications for the position, many from highly experienced professionals with strong qualifications and excellent references. So that was a very pleasant surprise. So
after a thorough review of both options, it's my recommendation that we proceed with hiring a new director of food services to lead our program for Plymouth Public Schools. Um again, I want to uh extend a um I would like to extend a formal offer to a top candidate
first thing tomorrow morning uh just to expedite the process as much as possible. Um, I do believe this individual would bring strong leadership, um, industry knowledge and a very collaborative approach that would benefit us greatly and the staff greatly
in the food service division. Um, in the event that our top candidates do not accept the position, I don't want to think that way, but I'm trying to think of um, every scenario. I would respect respectfully request that the school committee authorize administration to
initiate a one-year contract with Aramac Food Services. Again, that is not my um my preference. My preference is to make an offer to a food service director finalist uh tomorrow. uh that would just
ensure us that continuity and the stability um while allowing us to revisit leadership structures um and a hiring process as needed uh should we find ourselves in a unfortunate circumstance but I'm optimistic that that would not be the case. So again I
just want to extend my sincere appreciation I know Dr. Blaze Dell's appreciation for the food service staff who played an very active role both in the RFP bidding process and the interview days with the candidates. Um you know having their insight and input
has been very valuable throughout this process not only to um make this decision but I think moving forward uh as well. And I also again want to thank Mr. Samaradellis for taking time out of his schedule to support us through both of these important days. Um I do feel
confident that having gone through this extensive process both for the candidate screening and interviews and the RFP process um we we have a a a good some good choices here. I think we have some excellent candidates. Again, one that I
would like to reach out to tomorrow. So, I'm not I'm not announcing that name formally yet because there hasn't been um a conversation with uh their uh their leadership uh and with the individual about that. Um but I do feel that this
would be um our recommendation. Uh, and again, in the event that um things do not go the way that we hope or anticipate, I would respectfully request the school committee authorize us to initiate a one-year contract with Arrow
Market Food Service as uh the top bid. We're happy to answer any questions that you might have, too. Had a comment, Chris. I was going to say I was going to be interested in hearing your uh perspective, Mr. Smid. Yeah, I I think the process um was was
done correctly uh you know, as far as looking at all options and you know, we we were in this scenario because, you know, truth be told, something uh that wasn't favorable occurred, right? But I'll tell you what, seeing the the the
candidates that made it to those final interviews and and Chris had mentioned the 30 that came out, you know, it really says something about the desire to you have folks wanting to join our community, right? this this position for a lot of those sitting food service
directors in the interview was going to be a position that they were you know trying to attain and a position of you know growth and and that you know that was something that wasn't lost on me that they see the Plymouth public schools as somewhere they want to join
and be part of that team and um there there's a lot that can be accomplished I think going forward um and I think having that person, you know, on your leadership team allows you to have that back and forth that, you know, you
really lose a little bit of that, not just, you know, you know, leadership person to leadership person, but the leadership to the staff, right? And and I'm not saying I'm against outsourcing in in scenarios where it's needed, but if you can, you know, build something
internally and grow it from there and have it be a foundation and and build it on trust and efficiency, it's better all around. And that's what I really um felt played out. And uh you know everyone as Chris said in that interview process was thorough as far as their questions and
the staff that represented food services really really shine because they uh you know they were part of the questioning but you can tell that you know the caring was evident. So you know I I support the administration and and how they've arrived at this decision.
All right. Questions from the committee regarding the administration's recommendation. Mr. Yeah. Uh hi. Um um Dr. Campbell. Um one of the reasons we consider an outside firm is they have diff new uh different
controls and whatnot over the management and transparency of the program. um you know based on the incident that we had this spring. So um if we go with a food service director, do we have any new
processes that we plan to put in place to you can never foolproof things but to improve our ability to monitor the uh the program? Absolutely. It's an excellent question. I'm glad you brought that up um Mr. Morgan.
Certainly we've already started doing a um using a inventory software for equipment. We would also have a lot of redundancies in place looking at our protocols um for our inventory for our purchasing um and the individuals that
were interviewed also had some excellent recommendations regarding how they would do that too. So I think having working with someone who as Mr. Margaradella said is part of our team that can help build that um those working systems and
that and that trust and credibility that we um I we feel we have across this district um and really you know sharpening the way that we sort of um monitor certain things, evaluate certain things, communicate certain things so
that the public feels um you know they feel confident in the way that things are being managed and and I and uh to your point um what we would do um early in the year is is communicate that out
um and communicate that out frequently so that people have an understanding what's going on. I think this is uh we have a wonderful food service department which um we don't want this incident which is terrible which took place um to
overshadow the wonderful people and the and the and the uh services that we get at the school. So if we can um to your point, you know, evaluate how some things may have been managed um or or
overseen or or communicated and come up with a well articulated plan and communicate that plan to the public um while also highlighting the the great things that have been going on for many years uh with the staff that have worked there in many cases for many years. Um I
think we'll be in a good place. In addition, just to add on to that, we are currently in the process of having an internal controls audit. Um, and th those internal control those auditors have have looked have interviewed staff. Um, they've looked at a lot of processes. Um, and they've come back
with a couple recommendations already. Um, but they're they're taking what they found at this point in time and sending it to the person in I can't remember the name of the person in charge, but basically the person in charge of the firm and then they'll come back and ask more questions. So, um, they have a few recommendations already, um, and then
they'll they'll come out with a final report that we'll we'll share with everyone as well. U, Mr. Chair, I got a question. Lewis, is that all right? Yeah. Yeah, please. So, I I think Adam, that the final
candidates both had experience working, you know, for an administration, but also for one of the outsourced contractors, right? So, like it's a good blend and and Bob, I get what you're saying. like you you want to have that oversight and if you if you outsourced
it, would that automatically buy you that insurance policy of saying, "Hey, here's what we're looking at." I think it's more on the candidate who comes in to have that assessment. And both of them had worked on both sides of the fence. One had worked uh, you know, for
the school districts that they're in now, but they also had experience working for the consultants and the contractors. So, um, but it's definitely something that was brought up in the interview process, right? And as as Adam mentioned, the audit that's underway, we we got to do
some things a little differently, you know, and that's okay. Michelle, um, yeah, I I have I guess a comment and a and a question. Um, I think that it is sometimes easy to look at outside
companies as as a good alternative to having someone in house for a myriad of reasons. However, I I always have a hold back on it because of what we look at with transportation and anytime that we're outsourcing something and we're
getting locked into contracts. Obviously, this would just be a one-year contract, but anytime we're reliant on a third party, it doesn't end up financially well for us. Um, in general, um, usually there is a higher cost that's going to come down the road with
third parties. Um, and while they look bright and shiny on the outside when you first get their offers, sometimes that's not as bright and shiny as it is at the end. Um, so I do support hiring someone um for an in-house food director.
However, if we do take if they don't take our offer and we are going with the third party, would there be any um presentation at the end of the year or prior to a contract renewal um that we
would be able to see their performance and and all of that before we enter into another year of a contract with them? Excellent uh question and I completely agree with you m in terms of um it it
and again the reason that we entered that RFPA process is we we did not anticipate uh the great turnout. So I'm happy that we got that but yes we certainly would have uh the food service division uh present to the school
committee. Um we we would present information. We would be meeting with them um periodically, frequently and uh sharing information throughout the year and also um before any decision would be made to extend any contract or or explore the extension of any contract.
Absolutely. Great. Thank you so much. Thank you. Dr. Can just follow up on that. I assume even if we if uh since right now you're just asking to proceed with a you know an in-house food services director if you did want to take go that plan B you
would need to still come back to the committee for approval of that contract in order to award anything correct can you repeat that I'm sorry I kind of broke up if for some reason you're one of these these candidates were not to accept the
the position you would need to come back to the committee in order to then go award the RFP since we're only right now we're authorizing one path. Is that correct? And Dr. Blaz would they'd have to do a formal pres formal presentation um on
the 11th next week. Would they be they could they could I know that they could be I know that if we were in person tonight they were willing they would be here in person and they had they had said that. Um, but I know and if we wait too too long, obviously we're
getting closer to to school starting too. So I I don't know if if there's a chance that if the if school committee could even off authorize that this evening if as a backup if if the candidate doesn't accept it, could that be an approval tonight that
Yeah, I guess that's what I was asking is what are you looking for approval for tonight? For just plan A or for plan A plus a backup? I I was hoping that we could do a backup in the event that um that's you know that happens I would we could also put them on the agenda for the 11th so that you would you would
hear from them. I again this is if our top candidates are not the ones that were selected from the the committee uh through that process were not available or uh reigged on on that interest which I do not believe will happen. I really I
don't believe that that will happen, but I just want to be uh prepared in the event that u that does take place so that we would um have time to put things in place as Dr. Blazelle said, but
you need a backup plan, open the doors and serve food is what you're saying if they don't accept. Right. We want to make sure that we can serve food. Absolutely. Miss Awood, um no, I I really don't. I think more mine is more of a comment. Um I'm just
happy that this is you know uh the foremost pass it path is the fact that we've been able to find um a a director or a potential director. Um I think uh just with our
the news that has come up just in relation to some of um some of their activities with other um companies and um also too I just also think about some of um the initiatives that we have um as it relates to food service and some of
these alternatives that we have in terms of food. Would that still continue if we were to have a contracting service? Yes, those things would continue. All right. Do we have any uh there's some questions or or a motion?
Um chairman, can I ask one more question, please? Um Dr. Campbell. So, you're looking for approval to make an offer to your number one candidate, food director candidate. And if that candidate doesn't accept, are you looking will you make an offer
to your second candidate before going outsourcing or are you going right to the outsourcing? I I think pending reference checks. So, everything is always pending reference checks. So, it would be we have two top candidates. Um I have one top candidate
in mind. Um, but we would do a we would we would we would do an offer and a reference check on candidate one. We would do an offer and a candidate reference check on candidate two. If neither one of those turned out, um, we would then go with option B.
Understood. Thank you. Thank you. All right. Anyone else? All right. If not, I will entertain a motion. Um, I move to take that the school committee approve the administration's
recommendation of offering a position to the top two candidates and then moving on to plan B if those candidates do not um come to fruition. Second. Second. All right.
All right. I will do a roll call vote just in order of who how you appear on my screen. Mr. Smart, yes. Miss Shaw, yes. Miss Haywood, yes.
Here, yes. And Mr. Morgan, yes. Yep. Then I vote yes as well. That vote is unanimous. Five does five with two abs absences. Excellent. Thank you much and we will certainly update you um well next week
we have our our scheduled meeting. So I appreciate you taking time again uh for this unscheduled meeting to do this. It's really important and we do appreciate and again to our food service staff for joining the process and Mr. Samaradellis for being in pro involved in that process too. We really do
appreciate it. Thank you Dr. Campbell. Thank you administration and committee members. With that, I will call this during this meeting at 7:27 p.m. Thank you everyone. Thanks everyone. Have a good night. You guys