GCISD Nutrition Services Department Receives "Perfect" Rating on State Audit
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A three-day comprehensive on-site evaluation of nutrition services by the state of Texas on December 2-4, 2008, was concluded with an excellent review rating and "no findings." The on-site evaluation, developed by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), is conducted at least once every five years in school districts and other programs that participate in the National School Lunch Program. The purpose of this audit, known as the Coordinated Review Effort (CRE) is to determine compliance with the federal Child Nutrition meals programs.
Two key program areas are reviewed during the CRE. These include Meal Counting and Claiming and Meal Components. Meal Counting and Claimings is a review of all applications, certification, verification, meal counting, and meal claiming procedures. The Meal Component review ensures that all meals meet federal menu planning requirements. Additionally, numerous General Review Areas are examined by the state, with almost one hundred specific areas observed and reviewed!
On-site reviews of meal service are also conducted. Timberline Elementary was assessed for breakfast service and Bear Creek Elementary, Cross Timbers Middle School, and Heritage High School campuses were reviewed for the lunch meal. Over 500 Free and Reduced-Price School Meals applications from these schools were examined for accuracy of benefits determination.
After three comprehensive days of review, the state of Texas determined that GCISD Nutrition Services Department met every performance criteria in a superior manner. From meal quality, health inspections, wellness activities, menu variety, and counting and claiming reimbursable meals to having a knowledgable and well-trained staff, GCISD exemplified the highest standards and achieved a highly competitive excellent review rating.
