NASHOBA REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT — Director of Finance and Operations Ross Mokaren updated the committee on a district move to a contracted food‑service manager, Whitson's, and described operational and participation changes at school cafeterias.

Mokaren said Whitson's provides a field manager and chef who work with kitchen managers at each school; the vendor handles provisions and ordering under contract, shifting some costs from district provisions to contracted services. He said participation has increased year over year: an average of 89 students eat breakfast daily and about 130 more students are eating school lunch compared with last year (August–February comparisons).

Mokaren described menu changes and student engagement tools: tasting stations, a smartphone app to view menus and ingredient/nutrition details, and more creative, higher‑nutritional menu options. He highlighted a district shift toward compostable utensils and trays and said the district has seen less cafeteria food waste, which administrators view as an indicator of improved student experience.

On finances, Mokaren said FY‑to‑date figures (August–February) show contracted services and provisions moving under the Whitson's contract; revenue from state reimbursements lags and reflected payments only through December at the time of the report. He said staffing hours have increased to support breakfast and improved service; overall the district remains in a surplus position compared with last year, though the surplus is smaller than previously reported because of some staff returns.

Mokaren said the district will set up a school nutrition council, continue sustainability work with Whitson's and run a student experience survey to gather feedback before finalizing next‑year plans.