Whether or not the Mattapoisett schools outsource their food services to a company like Chartwell's or Sodexo was a hot topic at the Mattapoisett School Committee's first meeting of the academic year on Monday.

Although not on the agenda, the issue was brought up and an economic analysis by Sodexo, a food service company specializing in schools, colleges and military installations, was circulated. The committee has grappled with the idea of outsourcing lunches to a food service company for more than three years.

"We are not food experts, nor should we try to be," said Committee Chairperson Gracinda Knox.

This year, lunch prices across the Old Rochester Regional district went up $0.25 and yet schools are still grappling with deficits in the food service arena.

Also of concern was the fate of food service employees should the schools outsource their food preparation to a company such as Chartwells, which handles food service as Bishop Stang High School in North Dartmouth, or Sodexo, UMass Dartmouth's food service contractor. Knox said that jobs would not be lost if the switch were made.

Tabor Academy, the Fairhaven school district and UMass Dartmouth have all reduced deficits by outsourcing food preparation, Knox said. She added, however, that deficits aren't the only reason to consider outsourcing food.

"It's more than a deficit problem, it's a nutrition problem," said Knox, explaining that food service firms may have a better understanding of the nutritional needs of the district's children.

In other school committee business:

Superintendent Douglas White stated that the school year started well and with few absences despite the turmoil of Tropical Storm Irene hitting the region just days before the first day of school.

The committee accepted a $500 donation from the Mattapoisett Lions Club. $250 will go to Center School and Old Hammondtown School respectively.

The committee approved a faculty code of conduct.

The committee congratulated Rochester on the new, state-of-the-art Rochester Memorial School. The newest wing of RMS opened this year, completing a massive renovation project that was finished $600,000 under budget.

Committee member Charles Motta reminded everyone that the ORR school district was voted 28th best in the state by Boston Magazine recently.