The Northumberland County Board of Supervisors granted its blessing for the county finance team to conduct an internal audit of the school system’s nutrition program.

County Finance Director Dr. Anne Curran said that after speaking with the School Board, it was decided the move was prudent. She noted that spending for the nutrition program continues to grow, and carryover funds are being spent along with newly allotted funds.

Curran raised questions about whether the money is being used as efficiently as possible.

One issue that drew particular attention was the discovery that some staff members have been eating free lunches. Curran emphasized that “that’s just not allowed in this program.”

Supervisor A.C. Fisher asked whether staff might also be receiving free breakfasts. Curran said she was not sure but confirmed that would definitely be a focus of the audit. She added that the nutrition program is highly regulated.

According to Curran, the internal audit will take a comprehensive look at both financial and operational practices within the nutrition program. She outlined several key questions the audit is intended to answer, including: Are we being as efficient as we could be? Are we taking care of our inventory? How are staff working—who is on staff and what hours are they working? How are we working with vendors? And ultimately, are we making sure the money is being spent wisely and in accordance with federal rules?

Currently, Northumberland does not contribute any local money to school meals. The program is fully funded by the federal government. However, Curran warned that spending is on a trajectory that could change that.

“We’re anticipating that within three years we’re going to be running over, and so we’re going to be looking to the local funds,” she said.

She also pointed out that internal audits of this kind are generally recommended every three years, but she is not aware of one ever being conducted for the school division.

“I don’t have a problem with it, but I just want the finance department—if you’re going to do an audit—look at money, not people,” said Board Chairman James Brann.

He told her to report the findings to the superintendent. “But our main goal is to count the dollars,” said Brann.

“It’s definitely the dollars,” Curran replied. The audit is expected to begin in June and will take approximately two weeks to complete.

Photo: NES