LYNN — The city approved a petition from Lynn resident Sophia Seang on Tuesday, that called for a public hearing in front of the School Committee on Feb. 10 to discuss meal and vendor quality in the Lynn Public Schools (LPS).
“We have tried to get this issue addressed but no one wanted to be responsible,” said Seang. “I spoke to a few mothers and we drafted up a petition to get 300 signatures. In the end, we got 13,000.”
At the public hearing, Seang, along with other parents will have the opportunity to address the School Committee about concerns related to meals at LPS and share their concerns with the current vendor, Revolution Foods, which was subcontracted to the school district through its primary contract with Chartwells.
“Things became out of hand,” Seang said. “I went to every School Committee meeting throughout 2021. We are going to talk about Lynn’s internal food system and ask if we should hold the vendor responsible.”
The petition that Seang and other parents drafted demands that all foods served by LPS be fresh and healthy. They specifically ask for students to be served meals that are fresh and are stored properly to prevent spoiling; that the monthly menu for LPS is adhered to, with parents being notified of any changes; that expiration and quality checks are done on all foods; and that LPS changes their vendor.
Superintendent of Schools Dr. Patrick Tutwiler welcomed the public meeting and said the parents have every right to voice their concerns.
“I think any opportunity where people have the chance to be heard is important,” Tutwiler said. “The School Committee offered a similar opportunity in the fall for that reason and I support the petitioner’s right to be heard again for the process.”
In November 2021, the School Committee voted unanimously to authorize City Solicitor George Markopoulos to investigate the contracts with Chartwells and Revolution Foods, to determine if the vendors had failed in any aspect of the contract that the school system signed with them.
Tutwiler said Markopoulos has not offered his opinion on the matter yet.
Seang said the reason for the petition was in response to an incident when her child was served a rotten turkey sandwich at school. On Sept. 17, 2021, she, along with other parents in the community, began drafting the petition and turned it in on Nov. 9.
She said she was thankful that the School Committee would allow the parents to speak on behalf of their children, and hoped it will lead to a more open conversation about the quality of school foods.
“It felt like at times the parents and the children were to blame,” said Seang. “Now we are going to have the opportunity to finally tell our stories.”
