HI HCR97

Request the Department of Education to conduct a systemwide review of oversight, monitoring, and accountability practices in the School Food Services Branch, which serves 256 schools and feeds approximately 100,000 students and staff daily.

Require the School Food Services Branch to implement systematic changes to policies and procedures at all levels based on findings from a 2012 internal audit that identified significant deficiencies in operational and fiscal controls.

Direct the branch to provide annual compliance reports to the Superintendent of Education regarding each school's adherence to revised policies and procedures.

Require the Department of Education to submit findings, recommendations, and any proposed legislation to the Legislature no later than twenty days before the 2014 Regular Session convening.

Key audit findings identified: unclear ownership of purchasing and payment collection processes, lack of oversight and accountability, insufficient monetary collection controls, outdated purchasing policies, limited technology use, incomplete documentation, and vulnerability in kitchen staffing methods.