Finding 10844 (2023-001)

- Repeat Finding
Requirement
N
Questioned Costs
-
Year
2023
Accepted
2024-01-30
Audit: 14499
Organization: Phillipsburg School District (NJ)

AI Summary

  • Core Issue: Net cash resources for the Child Nutrition Program exceeded the USDA limit by $874,981.
  • Impacted Requirements: USDA mandates that net cash resources should not surpass three months of average expenditures.
  • Recommended Follow-Up: The board should consider using excess funds to purchase equipment, enhance food quality, or implement other strategies to reduce cash resources.

Finding Text

Finding 2023-001 Criteria or Specific Requirement: United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) requires that net cash resources for the Child Nutrition Program not exceed three months average expenditures in the food service fund. Condition: Net cash resourses exceeded three months average expenditures. Questioned Costs: N/A Context: Net cash resources of $1,582,243 exceeded three months average expenditures of $707,262 by $874,981. Effect: Excess profits retained in the food service fund. Cause: Low levels of capital investment over the past four years and increased subsidy rates at the "free" rate of reimbursement for all meals for all children under the age of 18 due to COVID- 19; Additional Supply Chain Assistance funds and supply chain restraints for capital investment. Recommendation: The board should reduce net cash resources by purchasing needed equipment, improve food quality, or take other actions to eliminate the excess cash resources in the food service fund.

Corrective Action Plan

To allocate direct cafeteria overhead costs and plan capital equipment purchases for cafeteria equipment to enhance delivery of student meals which will ensure reduction of net cash resources so as to not exceed three months of expenditures. In addition to the current mechanisms in place to utilize net cash resources, a formula was obtained and will be used to ensure the correct amount is spent. During the 22-23 school year, the district received additional covid related funding which also contributed to excess net cash resources.

Categories

Cash Management School Nutrition Programs Equipment & Real Property Management

Other Findings in this Audit

Programs in Audit

ALN Program Name Expenditures
84.425 Education Stabilization Fund $9.90M
10.555 National School Lunch Program $1.48M
84.027 Special Education_grants to States $1.06M
84.010 Title I Grants to Local Educational Agencies $1.05M
10.553 School Breakfast Program $524,172
93.778 Medical Assistance Program $313,739
84.287 Twenty-First Century Community Learning Centers $224,238
17.259 Wia Youth Activities $157,502
84.367 Improving Teacher Quality State Grants $131,483
84.424 Student Support and Academic Enrichment Program $91,827
84.173 Special Education_preschool Grants $42,793
84.048 Career and Technical Education -- Basic Grants to States $36,457
10.558 Child and Adult Care Food Program $32,081
84.365 English Language Acquisition State Grants $20,826