← School Committee · 2026-06-09 · School Committee Meeting
Report: Food Service Audit Closeout
Agenda original PDF
Minutes original PDF
Razi-Thomas AYES: Jennifer Razi-Thomas, Jennifer Grigoraitis, Seamus Kelley, Margaret Raymond Driscoll, Matt Hartman, Melissa Holleran, Sheri Leo B Report: Food Service Audit Closeout Deputy Superintendent Kelley shared that Melrose participated in a two-part Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) food service audit this year, covering both administrative operations and procurement. He noted that undergoing both audits simultaneously required significant effort from the Business Office and Food Service Director Christian Molle. Following onsite visits, DESE representatives reported that the 3 district's food service program is in very good shape, with compliance metrics falling well within acceptable bounds. Mr. Kelley noted that minor procedural findings were already being addressed through corrective actions implemented by Mr. Molle, and he expressed gratitude to the DESE partners for a smooth process. Discussion included: the difference between the administrative side and procurement. 2. Policy and Planning - Matt Hartman/Margaret Driscoll 3. Educational Programs and Personnel - Jen Razi-Thomas/Sheri Leo B Vote: MHS Program of Studies
Transcript
▶ 17:10 Margaret Raymond Driscoll: Made by Mr. Kelley, seconded by Ms. Razi Thomas. Seeing no discussion, all in favor? Opposed? And that motion carries unanimously. Next on our agenda is a report on the food service audit closeout. Superintendent or Mr. Kelley? Mr. Kelley, please.
▶ 17:34 Speaker 4: Sure. Thank you. Yes. So, as you may be aware, in September, Melrose was notified we were going to be participating with DESE's audit. DESE food service audits are two-sided. There's an administrative side for the actual operations of the food service program, and then they also have a procurement side. We were fortunate enough to be chosen for both this year, which is a lot of work on the business office as well as the food service director, Christian Molly. A lot of collaboration. It's every four years for administration, every five years for procurement. So we had onsite visits from DESE representatives, um Both audits went very smooth, very well, minor findings. They both independently said that our food service program is actually in very good shape. You can see in the report, they do monitor multiple rounds of serving breakfast and lunch, and if you're under $600 out of compliance with their reimbursable meals, they consider that well within bounds, and we were when they were visiting. They did have some corrective actions that were minor procedural things that our Director Molly has already been implementing. So, they went smooth, and I'd like to thank our partners at DESE. They were very easy to work with, providing information both ways, and so it's good to-- I actually really enjoy the audits. There are a lot of work in them, but then you always learn things and how to do things better coming out of them. So I'd be happy to answer any questions you may have, but they both went smooth.
▶ 19:12 Speaker 3: Questions for Mr. Kelley?
▶ 19:15 Speaker 1: Mr. Hartman. Sure. So just to be clear, this is more of a financial audit of the practices of how we're tracking food sales- ... and reimbursements and so forth.
▶ 19:25 Speaker 4: It's two-sided. Yes, that's the administrative side about- Yeah ... how we're participating with the states and federal level reimbursable meals program, and then procurement, how are we procuring items like the food service, food orders, how we have the equipment serviced and maintained, and things like that. So it was two-sided.
▶ 19:43 Speaker 1: Okay. But it's not really a full evaluation of our food offerings, or our quality of food, or how much students are taking up or so forth like that?
▶ 19:52 Speaker 4: They do look at menus, but it's more of a compliance to make sure you're within the nutritional guidelines and things like that- ... which we are, very much so. Okay.
▶ 19:58 Speaker 1: Thank you.
▶ 20:00 Margaret Raymond Driscoll: Sure. Any other questions or comments? I'd just like to add that this kind of audit, and I appreciate Mr. Kelley's attitude, I guess, is the best way to say it, in always looking for up-leveling and learning and growing as a district. Really appreciate that. These audits are not easy at all, and they are very rigorous because they have to comply with federal guidelines. So there's an additional element and watchfulness that goes into this. So, congratulations to Mr. Kelley and your amazing team, and our partners in the school nutrition area in the Melrose Public Schools, because again, this is very not easy, and doing a lot of extra work outside of their regular work that is focused directly on nutrition for students. So thank you- Thank you ... for that. And with that, that concludes finances.
▶ 20:55 Speaker 1: Okay, moving into