Mirroring debates around the country about the health of school lunches and the constraints of shrinking budgets, a Tuesday hearing about the Up-Island Regional School District’s 2013 operating budget centered around whether and how the schools could fit a healthier but more expensive food program into their budget. The well-attended hearing included a vocal group of parents and teachers advocating for the schools to take over the school lunch program.

The Up-Island Regional School District committee voted on Monday to part ways with food service provider Chartwells at the end of the school year and instead will opt for its own meals program based at the West Tisbury school.