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After several meetings with the cafeteria workers’ union, school officials decided last night not to privatize the school lunch program.

The decision came after the union agreed to make $38,000 worth of concessions and to give up some time off, said Brian Connolly, the school business administrator.

"The cafeteria workers have been outstanding," said Superintendent Lincoln Lynch.

All cafeteria workers agreed to switch their health insurance plan to what’s called the rate-saver program – a policy that has higher co-pays for workers and lower premiums for both the district and its employees.

That switch, Connolly said, will amount to about $15,000 in savings.

Cafeteria workers also agreed to forgo cost-of-living pay increases, which will save the school a projected $23,000, Connolly said.

They will, however, still receive step raises based on seniority.

Connolly said newly hired cafeteria workers will not receive vacation days and current workers will have their sick time cut by three days. Labor Day and the day after Thanksgiving will also no longer be counted as holidays.

School administrators promised there would be no layoffs or reduced hours for cafeteria workers employed by the district for now, but reserves the …