Committee moves school‑meal pricing bill as audit findings prompt follow‑up

The House Committee on Education passed SB2615 on March 19, a measure that would reduce the statutory minimum school‑meal charge and prevent a mandated price increase. The hearing turned into an extended review of an auditor’s report that found gaps in DOE accounting for meal costs, unclear budgets for individual cafeterias, and federal funds that were not fully spent.

Shanta Gee of the Department of Education told the committee the department stands on its written testimony and that lowering the minimum charge from one‑half to one‑quarter of preparation cost would avoid forcing price increases on families. The department acknowledged the auditor’s finding that DOE lacked granular data on the cost components of meals and said it has begun corrective actions: 4 of 20 audit items completed, 14 in progress, and the department has signed a contract for an electronic system to track cafeteria costs.

Committee members pressed DOE to explain why prior years had large increases in food costs (from roughly $21 million to $82 million in cited years) and why $1 million in federal funds (of $5.5 million available credits) was not spent in 2023–24. DOE said it will spend down federal supports this year, that procurement arrangements with distributors can obscure whether an item is local, and that planned system improvements should allow managers to see bifurcated prices and choose local products.

Decision and follow‑up: The committee passed SB2615 with amendments (chair’s recommendation). Members requested DOE share the corrective‑action plan, the new budget/financial controls for cafeterias, and updates on spending federal credits.