Finding Text
Criteria: Prior to December 15 of each year, the school must verify the current free and reduced price eligibility of households selected from a sample of applicants that have already been approved. Applications considered error prone must be selected first for verification. Condition: The verification testing required by the District could not be located. Also, one applicant's initial application noted the student qualified for reduced meals, but according to the USDA income guidelines, they actually qualified for free meals. Questioned Costs: None. Context: Expenditures from the Child Nutrition Cluster totaled $130,752 at June 30, 2024. In addition, eligibility for several other grants is based on the number of students eligible for free and reduced breakfasts and lunches. Effect: The District could provide benefits to ineligible children or provided insufficient benefits to eligible children. Cause: The District had ineffective controls in place for the eligibility determination of free and reduced applications and maintaining the proper supporting documentation for those eligibility determinations. Recommendation: We recommend the District follow the USDA guidelines for verification testing and income eligibility guidelines when making eligibility determinations of free and reduced breakfasts and lunches and maintain all supporting documentation required for the required verifications. Management's Response: The District will ensure the Food Service Director is completing the processes accurately and timely going forward and that all documentation will be maintained.