Board approves insurance renewal, handbook edits, Chartwells contract and meal price increases

The Grafton School Board on May 18 approved multiple finance committee recommendations for the 2026–27 school year, including insurance renewals, staff handbook changes, a renewed food-service contract and modest increases to student meal prices.

Mr. Adams, presenting the finance committee’s report, recommended renewal of property and casualty coverage (about a 3% increase for property and roughly 4% for liability) and a workers’ compensation renewal showing a 27% increase, which he said stems from a poor claim year in 2024–25 that will affect premiums for several years. The board approved the insurance renewals by voice vote.

The board also approved recommended revisions to the staff handbook, including changes related to the district’s self-insured status (changing coverage term calculation to the last date worked), clarifications about spousal cash-lump provisions and OPED eligibility rules for new hires. The handbook motion carried by voice vote.

Administration brought forward a five-year contract renewal with Chartwells to continue as the district’s food-service management company; Chartwells will apply a 3.5% increase in its charges (presented as a 14¢ per-lunch and 7¢ per-breakfast equivalent). The board approved the Chartwells contract.

To help cover increased food-service charges and inflationary operating costs (utilities, equipment maintenance and financial software), the board approved raising student meal prices for 2026–27: lunch up 20¢ and breakfast up 10¢.

Finance committee members also reviewed the district’s capital maintenance plan and preliminary budget. Administration reported projects totaling about $950,146 for the 2025–26 fiscal year and presented a balanced preliminary 2026–27 budget of approximately $30.9 million (a 4.1% increase over the prior year) for consideration at the June meeting. The committee discussed conceptual solar roof options that administration will analyze further before returning recommendations.

Votes at a glance (as recorded at the May 18 meeting):
- Insurance renewals (property/casualty and workers’ compensation): approved by voice vote (finance recommendation).
- Staff handbook revisions (including OPED clarifications and stipend updates): approved by voice vote.
- Chartwells food-service management contract (renewal; 3.5% charge increase): approved by voice vote.
- Student meal price increases (lunch +20¢; breakfast +10¢): approved by voice vote.

The board will review the preliminary budget and any late-breaking budget information from the state at its June meeting.