The School Committee could decide as early as Monday night on a consultant to review whether the district can save money by hiring a company to run the food service department.
Interim Superintendent Jim Marini said the district has received four responses from contractors for the job, after sending out a request for quotes earlier this year.
He said the review, which will not cost more than $25,000, will look for ways to make the operation more efficient and to determine if a private operator will save money without sacrificing quality.
"It's going to inform us (about our options) from someone with expertise in this area," said Marini.
The schools' current food services $900,000 budget was cut from more than a $1 million budget last year, said Marini, who started his interim job in July.
According to the School Department, those past cuts resulted in 66 workers being let go.
There are currently 96 employees in the food service department. Their contract expired June 30.
Marini said it's unclear whether hiring a company to serve school meals would lead to further job cuts.
"We don't know. We'll have to work very closely with the union," said Marini.
Assistant Superintendent Sandy Guryan said she's reviewing responses to the consulting job, and will make a recommendation to the School Committee's three-member food service committee.
She's still conducting that review - which includes background checks on the applicants.
