34 | ACTON-BOXBOROUGH REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT | ANNUAL REPORT 2025–2026
Operations
• The department also hosted two University of Massachusetts Lowell Dietetic Interns and advanced student engagement through the Harvest of the Month and “Try Day Friday” programs. Leadership recognition included the District Dietitian speaking at the Massachusetts Food System Forum, the Assistant Director presenting on Food Trails at the Healthy Kids Summit, and receiving the “Breakfast Trailblazer” award from Action for Healthy Kids. • To improve inclusivity, the department launched new allergen-safe hot meals free from the top nine allergens. Staff development highlights included CPR certification and specialized training. Facility improvements featured a major renovation of the High School cafeteria serving lines, expanded salad bar offerings, and the relaunch of the school store
FOOD & NUTRITION SERVICES • The Acton-Boxborough Food & Nutrition Services Department provides healthy breakfasts and lunches across all district schools, preschools, and satellite programs like the CASE Collaborative and The Victor School, guided by the motto “A well-fed child is ready to learn.” Through the universal free meal program, students receive one free breakfast and lunch daily. • Key accomplishments include launching the Summer EATS Program at Coach Estates, serving approximately 350 meals alongside educational activities. As a Massachusetts Fresh Corps Grant recipient, the department established after-school cooking clubs, provided advanced culinary training via the John Stalker Institute, and introduced a hydroponic garden and six raised garden beds at the High School in partnership with Fresh Start Food Gardens.
as the Rev Market. Year-to-date for 2025–2026, the department served 264,781 total breakfasts (1,495 daily) and 604,084 total lunches (3,599 daily). FACILITIES Throughout FY26, the Facilities team, including the Director of Finance and Operations, a Facility Manager, an Assistant Facilities Manager, an Administrative Assistant, an Energy Manager, four Tradespeople, two Grounds staff, and 29 Custodians, stayed busy with both normal operations, preventative maintenance, and capital projects. Key projects included: • Hybrid Air Source Heat Pump Rooftop Units at Parker Damon Building : Nine new ASHP units replace 20-year-old and failing gas-fired, DX Cooling RTUs that move us closer to our decarbonization goals. • Ongoing Design Work for High School Rooftop Units: Continued design and engineering work towards the replacement of eleven gas-fired, DX Cooling RTUs at ABRHS that predate the 2005 Renovation project. • Replacement and New AC Installations at RJ Grey JHS and Blanchard Elementary help to keep our classroom spaces comfortable for learning in buildings that were not originally designed for AC. • Asphalt Paving and Repairs to improve safety at RJ Grey JHS, Blanchard, and Conant Elementary Schools. The Facilities team also completed over 2,000 work order requests across 18 trade categories , of which 70% were completed within 30 days of submission.
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